So far, nine confirmed Ebola victims have died since the virus resurfaced early this month in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country’s Health Minister said on Tuesday.

Only seven deaths were previously announced, with the two latest victims also registered in the Beni region in North Kivu province.

 On August 1, the health ministry announced the country’s 10th Ebola outbreak since 1976.

Thirty-three people had previously died in an outbreak in the northwest which was only declared over at the end of July.

“In total, 43 cases of hemorrhage fever have been reported in Beni region, with just 16 confirmed and 27 probable and 46 suspected cases are under investigation,” the ministry said on Tuesday.

Nearly 1000 people who have had “contact” with the virus have been registered in the health zones which are under surveillance, it said.

Ebola causes severe illness including vomiting, diarrhoea and some cases internal and external bleeding. If left untreated, Ebola can be fatal.

Authorities will begin targeted vaccination on Wednesday.

“Twelve teams of vaccinators will be deployed in different affected areas,” the ministry said while also confirming that teams have arrived in Beni.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that “the deterioration of the security situation” in areas affected was expected to be a major hindrance to response to the outbreak.

The Red Cross also announced that it was sending a “multidisciplinary” team of 19 people to Beni.

AFP