KINSHASA — The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 2,800 as infections continue to spread across six provinces, according to the latest figures released by health authorities Sunday.The Health Ministry said 5,945 confirmed cases have been recorded since the outbreak began in May, with at least 1,327 people recovering. Another 896 confirmed patients are currently hospitalized or in isolation.The outbreak has reached 60 health zones across Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele and Tshopo provinces since it was declared in mid-May.The World Health Organization (WHO) said the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus continues to evolve rapidly in the country, with sustained transmission.The increase in infections and widening geographical spread over the past three months represent a “substantial increase” in the scale of the outbreak, according to WHO.Congolese authorities last week launched an Ebola vaccination campaign targeting healthcare and frontline workers as efforts intensify to contain transmission.Richard Kitenge, a doctor involved in the response, said community participation would be critical to bringing the outbreak under control.“We are not going to use magic to defeat Ebola. It is through the support and involvement of the community,” Kitenge told reporters in Ituri.He urged people to follow prevention measures, cooperate with response teams and avoid concealing suspected cases, saying early reporting allows authorities to trace contacts and intervene quickly.
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