Ebola outbreak spreads to sixth DR Congo province

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has expanded to a sixth province, raising concerns of potential spread into neighboring South Sudan. The outbreak, which began in Ituri province in May, is now the largest ever in the unstable and vast country. It is believed to have been spreading for several weeks before being declared on May 15.

The DRC's 17th Ebola outbreak has killed more than 2,128 people out of 4,566 confirmed cases, according to the latest figures. Previously, five provinces - Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, and Tshopo - had been affected. Now, a fatality has occurred in northern Bas-Uele province, following someone who traveled from Haut-Uele.

The outbreak is spreading rapidly, with seven times more cases and five times more deaths in the DRC over the first three months compared to the largest Ebola outbreak in history, which occurred in west Africa in 2014. The World Health Organization hopes to curb the spread of Ebola in the DRC within three months. The response in the DRC is hampered by limited health services, lack of clean water and safe toilets, and insecurity, particularly in North Kivu and South Kivu, where the Congolese army and the anti-government armed group M23 are clashing.