The death toll from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has climbed to 600, according to the latest figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday, marking a sharp increase just three days after fatalities surpassed the 500 mark.
The WHO reported that the DRC has recorded 1,759 confirmed Ebola cases since the outbreak was officially declared in mid-May, with 600 confirmed deaths.
In neighbouring Uganda, two people have also died from the disease, while 17 of the 20 confirmed patients have recovered, the agency said.
Data provided by Congolese health authorities indicate that the outbreak currently has a 34 percent case fatality rate. So far, 285 patients have recovered, while 304 suspected cases remain under investigation.
The outbreak has spread across four provinces in northeastern DRC but remains largely concentrated in Ituri Province, where the virus was first detected.
Health officials say the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a rare variant for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.
To improve treatment options, a clinical trial involving two experimental therapies began in the DRC on July 2. The study is assessing the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, both individually and in combination.
Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads through close contact with infected individuals or their bodily fluids.
The current outbreak, the 17th recorded in the DRC, was declared on May 15 following several deaths in the mineral-rich Ituri Province, an area that has long been affected by armed conflict and insecurity.
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