Congo's Ebola outbreak spreads to new health zones

Relatives mourn a man who died of Ebola virus during his burial, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, at the Nyamurongo cemetery in Bunia town, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere

DAKAR, June ⁠11 (Reuters) - Congo's Ebola outbreak ⁠has spread to three new ‌health zones, according to a government report published on Thursday that ​showed the number ⁠of confirmed cases ⁠had risen to 676, including ⁠136 deaths.

The ‌figure represented the total number of ⁠confirmed cases as of Wednesday, ​the ‌health minister said in a ⁠post on ​X.

The new health zones impacted by the outbreak ⁠were in North Kivu ​and Ituri, the report said.

A health zone in Congo’s healthcare system ⁠covers a defined area with a network of clinics and a referral hospital, ​covering around 100,000 ⁠to 150,000 people. There are ​over 500 health ‌zones in the ​country.

(Reporting by Jessica Donati; Editing by Nia Williams)