The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has spread to another province bordering the Central African Republic, with two cases reported in North Ubangi, according to health officials.
The development, which would bring the number of affected Congolese provinces to eight, had not been officially announced by the country’s authorities as of Thursday.
Two health officials told Reuters that the cases were recorded in North Ubangi following reports of suspected deaths in the Wapinda health area, close to the border with Bas-Uele province, which prompted health authorities to conduct tests.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said the first clinical trial of a vaccine against the strain is expected to begin in the DRC by the end of October.
The outbreak was declared on May 15 and has recorded more than 9,000 cases and 4,441 deaths, according to figures released on Wednesday.
The spread of the virus has also raised concerns across the region, with cases reported in neighbouring countries.
Uganda, which previously recorded infections, declared itself Ebola-free in August. Kenya, however, announced its second case of the virus on Wednesday.
The latest Kenyan case involves a relative of the first patient, who died on October 5.
The spread of the outbreak into North Ubangi underscores the continuing challenge facing health authorities as they work to contain infections and prevent further cross-border transmission.
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