Kinshasa: The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has risen to 506. Health authorities reported that the country recorded 1,561 confirmed cases, including 506 deaths, while 254 patients have recovered so far. Currently, 628 confirmed cases remain under quarantine or hospital treatment. Authorities have also identified 354 suspected cases, including 110 deaths.
According to Qatar News Agency, the report indicated that the outbreak has affected 36 health zones across three provinces. The World Health Organization announced on Thursday the start of a clinical trial in the DRC involving patients to evaluate potential treatments for Ebola, a disease caused by the Bundibugyo Ebolavirus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
The clinical trials began at the CME Ebola Treatment Center in the Rwampara Health Zone of Ituri Province, the main epicenter of the outbreak.