Public health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced on Thursday that the country had recorded 896 confirmed Ebola cases and 232 deaths since the outbreak was officially declared on May 15.

The current outbreak, which is the 17th in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is driven by the Bundibugyo virus, a strain for which there are currently no approved vaccines or targeted treatments, severely complicating containment efforts.

According to the health ministry, 21 new cases and six deaths were reported on Wednesday alone, centered in the volatile eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. The outbreak has now spread to 33 health zones across three eastern provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu.

The strain on local healthcare facilities is mounting. A total of 383 patients are currently in isolation or receiving inpatient care.

At least 78 patients have successfully recovered, including 11 who were newly discharged after testing negative in follow-up examinations.

Another 151 suspected cases, including 35 deaths, were reported on Wednesday, suggesting the true toll could be significantly higher.

Health officials warn that community transmission is rising week by week.

"Rapid geographic spread remains possible if public health measures are not implemented swiftly," the ministry cautioned in its report.

Contact tracers are currently monitoring 6,367 individuals who interacted with infected patients, though insecurity in the region limited the follow-up rate to 71.1% during the latest reporting period.