The Democratic Republic of Congo’s health ministry has reported 131 deaths and 513 suspected cases in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the country, while officials continue to verify how many of the reported fatalities are directly linked to the virus amid concerns about a delayed response from authorities.

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba confirmed that 513 suspected infections and 131 deaths have been recorded in affected regions, noting that investigations are still ongoing to determine the exact cause of some deaths. He emphasized that the situation is still being assessed as health teams work to verify and respond to new cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday due to its rapid spread and severity. According to health officials, the current outbreak—first confirmed on Friday—is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. This variant is considered rare and currently has no approved vaccines or specific antiviral treatments available, making containment more challenging.

Although the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have experienced more than 20 Ebola outbreaks in the past, this is only the third recorded instance of the Bundibugyo strain. Health authorities have confirmed cases across several locations, including Bunia, Goma (the capital of North Kivu under rebel control), Mongbwalu, Butembo, and Nyankunde, raising concerns about wider regional transmission.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed serious concern over the speed and scale of the outbreak. He stated that the UN health agency is closely monitoring the situation and will convene its emergency committee to evaluate the outbreak and recommend appropriate international response measures.