Two Congolese Regular Forces (FARDC) soldiers have died of Ebola haemorrhagic fever in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to military and health sources.

Mak Hazukay, an army spokesman in the Beni area, east of North Kivu province, said three other soldiers were being observed in a center for the fight against the epidemic at the Ministry of Health in Beni. He also stressed that all measures are being taken to stop the infection among soldiers.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases already registered has been 736, of which 682 are confirmed and 54 are probable. In total, there were 459 deaths, including 405 confirmed and 54 probable, and 257 people cured, according to the latest report from the ministry.

Declared on Aug. 1st, 2018 in the region of Beni, the epidemic quickly spread to the neighboring province of Ituri. The health zone of Katwa in Butembo, North Kivu, continues to be the main focus of the Ebola outbreak, having recorded 65 percent of the newly confirmed cases in the last 21 days, according to the Ministry of Health. (Xinhuanet)

•Congolese soldiers patrol an area of Beni, Eastern DRC where war and Ebola threaten a ‘perfect storm’