The Ebola epidemic has claimed more than 300 lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a little over one month after it was declared, health authorities there said on Friday.

The deadly viral disease, which spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, can cause severe bleeding and organ failure.

A total of 304 people in the DRC have now died of the virus, from 1,115 confirmed infections since the outbreak was detected on May 15, giving a mortality rate of 26.3 percent, the National Public Health Institute said.

This is a jump from the 202 deaths confirmed on June 18 by the African Union's health agency, from 875 confirmed infections – a mortality rate of 23 percent.

The Red Cross warned last week that the outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever has yet to peak and could take up to a year to contain.

In some rare good news, the DRC authorities announced in early June that several Ebola patients had been treated and cured.

Responders to the epidemic, the 17th to hit the vast central African country, face towering challenges.

No approved vaccines or treatments exist for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus responsible for the latest outbreak to hit the DRC, which is one of the world's poorest countries.

The three affected provinces in eastern DRC – Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu – have been plagued for three decades by conflict and mass displacement, complicating the response.

The outbreak has spread to neighbouring Uganda, where containment measures have been effective.

Kampala has reported 20 confirmed cases nationwide, including two deaths since May 15. Most of those infected are Congolese nationals who have travelled to Uganda.

On Wednesday, France reported the outbreak's first confirmed case of Ebola outside Africa – a Congolese doctor who was working in the DRC for the international medical aid NGO ALIMA.

The World Health Organization says there is minimal risk of the virus spreading in Europe and there is no need for travel restrictions.

Air France, on which the doctor flew back to France, has nevertheless suspended all flights to Kinshasa for several days. (AFP)


Edited by Aaron Tam