Ebola Outbreak In Congo Surpasses 1000 Cases

Health officials in the Democratic Republic Of Congo are racing to contain a growing Ebola outbreak that has now claimed more than two hundred and fifty lives.

Confirmed cases have surpassed one thousand since the outbreak was declared in May, with health authorities reporting one thousand and three cases and two hundred and fifty-four deaths.

The outbreak is centred in Ituri Province, where officials say one hundred people have recovered, while hundreds of others remain hospitalised or in isolation.

Health experts warn the situation could be far worse than current figures suggest, with the peak of the outbreak still expected to come.

One of the biggest challenges remains contact tracing.

Authorities say they have been able to track just over half of those who may have been exposed to the virus.

Officials are still trying to identify the first known case and trace tens of thousands of people who may have come into contact with infected patients.

The outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.

Health officials say identifying the source of the outbreak and improving contact tracing will be critical to bringing the crisis under control.