The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded to two additional health zones, bringing the total number of affected zones to 60, according to government figures released Friday. The outbreak has recorded 5,794 confirmed cases, including 2,786 deaths, with health authorities struggling to contain its rapid spread.

The two newly affected areas, Biena and Manguredjipa, are located in North Kivu province. Authorities have reported a case fatality rate of around 48 per cent across the outbreak, while the rate in the newly affected areas is significantly higher, partly because of delays in mounting an effective response.

Also Read: Eastern Congo Faces Fastest-Growing Ebola Outbreak With 1,700 Deaths Reported

The outbreak is unfolding amid severe challenges, including insecurity, population displacement, movement across communities and a strike by health workers. The World Health Organization has warned that the outbreak remains out of control and could surpass the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which killed more than 11,000 people, mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The current outbreak was officially declared in mid-May, although health officials believe the virus had already been spreading since February. It initially affected three health zones but has since expanded rapidly, with many infections and deaths occurring within communities and outside the network of identified and monitored contacts.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo began vaccinating health workers and other frontline personnel on Thursday using the Ervebo vaccine, which has previously proved effective against the Zaire strain of Ebola. However, the current outbreak is being caused by the rarer Bundibugyo virus, for which there is currently no licensed vaccine or approved treatment, while clinical trials are underway.

More than 83 per cent of the reported cases are concentrated in the northeastern province of Ituri, where ongoing insecurity has complicated containment efforts. Measures such as restrictions on gatherings, social distancing and airport closures have disrupted daily life across the affected provinces, while advocacy groups have urged authorities to strengthen community engagement and trust.

The expansion has also raised concerns about the possibility of the virus spreading across international borders. Uganda declared itself free of Ebola last month, but the WHO continues to monitor the risk. WHO expert Marie Roseline Belizaire identified the Central African Republic as the country currently at greatest risk of spillover, followed by South Sudan, as the outbreak moves closer to border areas.

Also Read: Tripura CM In Assembly Describes DGP Anurag Dhankar’s Death As ‘Suicidal In Nature’