KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 7,000 confirmed cases and expanded into a seventh province.
Government figures released Friday showed 7,022 confirmed cases and 3,398 deaths linked to the outbreak.
Health authorities said the outbreak has spread to Sud-Ubangi province in northwestern Congo, marking the first reported expansion of the outbreak into the western part of the country.
Authorities identified the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the newly affected area.
Health officials have begun contact tracing and other containment measures as they attempt to prevent further transmission.
The World Health Organization has warned that shortages of health workers, operational partners and funding are complicating the response.
The current outbreak is the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
