DR Congo reports 676 confirmed Ebola cases, 136 deaths

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo — Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo said the country's Ebola outbreak has grown to 676 confirmed cases and 136 deaths. The Health Minister announced the figures on X, stating that the numbers reflect total confirmed cases as of Wednesday. The World Health Organization classified the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, calling for coordinated global response efforts. Ebola is a life-threatening illness transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals and their bodily fluids. Officials have noted that containing the current wave remains difficult, partly because no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain behind the outbreak. No further details on response operations were immediately available.