Ebola Claims Lives of 10 Students in DR Congo’s Ituri Province

At least 10 students have died from Ebola in Ituri Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, authorities reported Thursday, as the outbreak continues to affect communities across the country.

The deaths were reported more than a month after schools reopened for the new academic year. Education officials in Bunia, the provincial capital, said 25 students at several schools in the province had been confirmed to have Ebola.

Of those confirmed cases, 10 students had died and seven were undergoing treatment, according to data released by the provincial education officials. The information did not identify the affected schools or provide further details about the students receiving care.

Outbreak continues to expand

The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa said in a situation report released Wednesday that the outbreak was continuing to evolve. The agency described it as spreading geographically, as well as increasing in the number of reported cases and deaths.

The latest outbreak has affected more than 65 health zones across eight provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the information available.

Ituri is located in the country’s east, a region included in the wider area affected by the outbreak. The reported student deaths highlight the continuing health risks facing schools after the resumption of classes.

Call for protective measures

A provincial education official urged schools to ensure that protective equipment is used properly and that health guidelines are followed.

The authorities’ figures cover confirmed Ebola cases among students in Ituri and do not provide the total number of cases or deaths linked to the broader national outbreak. They also do not specify the exact date on which the deaths were reported beyond Thursday.