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PHOTO FILE: A Congolese health worker administers the Ebola vaccine to a boy who has been in contact with an Ebola virus victim in the village of Mangina, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo, 18 August 2018 REUTERS / Olivia Acland / Photo File
DAKAR (Reuters) – Thirteen new cases of Ebola were confirmed Wednesday in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the highest numbers since the outbreak began in July, the Ministry of Health.
"It's quite exceptional," said Health Ministry spokeswoman Jessica Ilunga, commenting on the data published in her daily Epidemic Bulletin.
Attacks by armed groups have hindered international efforts to control the epidemic, the worst in Congo's history, which has infected more than 380 people and killed two-thirds.
The number of new cases accelerated last month and an emergency committee of experts from the World Health Organization said in October that the epidemic could worsen significantly unless the response be strengthened.
Safe treatment, vaccination programs and burial of victims have been disrupted by an upsurge in violence and persistent mistrust of local health guidelines.
Last Wednesday, 12 Congolese soldiers were killed alongside seven US peacekeepers during clashes with militias near the epicenter of the epidemic.
Report by Giulia Paravicini; Edited by Alessandra Prentice; Edited by Robin Pomeroy
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