The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is rapidly spreading beyond its original epicenter, with cases increasing sharply in neighboring provinces, Africa's top health body reported Thursday. While new cases and deaths have recently declined in Ituri province, the outbreak's origin point, infections have risen significantly in North Kivu and Haut-Uele.

According to the latest government figures, 6,843 cases have been reported to date, including 3,310 deaths. Ituri province remains the most affected, with over 5,400 cases, while North Kivu has recorded more than 1,000 cases since the outbreak was declared in May.

The spread is occurring under challenging conditions, exacerbated by insecurity, population displacement, a strike among health workers, and significant population movements. The situation is particularly concerning in displacement sites, where residents already face precarious living conditions.

The World Health Organization has stated that the outbreak remains uncontrolled and is on track to exceed the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which resulted in over 11,000 deaths primarily in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

In North Kivu, new cases more than doubled to 381 in the most recent three-week period, compared to 165 in the preceding period, according to Yap Boum, head of emergency preparedness and response at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus has recently reached two additional health zones within North Kivu. Fighting between government forces and M23 rebels, who control the provincial capital Goma, has further complicated response efforts.

To combat the spread, Congo initiated vaccinations last month targeting health workers and other front-line personnel using the Ervebo vaccine, which has proven effective in previous Ebola outbreaks caused by a different strain. Clinical trials are also underway to develop a licensed vaccine for the Bundibugyo virus. These vaccination trials commenced in the eastern provinces of Tshopo, Haut-Uele, and Bas-Uele. Vaccinations in Ituri are scheduled to begin next week.

A significant challenge remains the limited supply of vaccine doses, with Congo having received 70,000 doses so far.