By Zainab Bakare
The death toll from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to an estimated 131 deaths. Authorities also report 513 suspected cases so far.
The information was confirmed by Health Minister Samuel Kamba.
The latest figures show a sharp increase compared to the previous count. Earlier reports put the toll at 91 deaths and 350 suspected cases in eastern DR Congo.
Speaking on national television, Kamba said health officials are still verifying the exact number of Ebola-related deaths.
“We have recorded roughly 131 deaths in total and around 513 suspected cases,” he said.
However, he stressed that the figures are still provisional. Investigations are ongoing to confirm how many deaths are directly linked to Ebola.
The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it an international public health emergency.
Health experts say there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain. It is considered one of the deadliest forms of Ebola.
The virus has killed more than 15,000 people across Africa over the past 50 years.
The epicentre of the outbreak is in Ituri Province in northeastern DR Congo. The area lies near the borders of Uganda and South Sudan.
It is also a major gold-mining region with heavy cross-border movement. This raises concerns about further spread.
Authorities confirm that the virus has now reached neighbouring provinces. It has also crossed beyond DR Congo’s borders.
Kamba said suspected cases have been reported in Butembo, a commercial city in North Kivu Province. It is about 200 kilometres from the epicentre.
Another case has been recorded in Goma, the provincial capital currently controlled by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group.
He also said misinformation slowed early response efforts.
“Unfortunately, the alert was slow to circulate within the community because people thought it was a mystical illness,” he said.
As a result, many sick individuals did not seek hospital care early.
