Butembo:Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has expressed concern about the worsening health situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, where new Ebola hotspots are emerging weekly amid inadequate treatment capacities.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Ebola outbreak, declared in mid-May, has resulted in a total of 8,554 cases, including 4,114 deaths, as per the Health Ministry's latest update. The situation has intensified in North Kivu since early September, with the province now accounting for nearly 40% of all new confirmed cases in the country, up from 24% at the end of August.

The French medical charity has warned that this escalation places patients and communities at significant risk. Stephanie Hoffmann, coordinator of the MSF Ebola treatment centre in Butembo, described the situation as fighting a "megafire," where multiple outbreaks occur simultaneously in various locations. The ongoing emergence of new hotspots complicates efforts to contain the epidemic.

The latest Ebola epidemic has impacted seven provinces: Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele, Tshopo, and South-Ubangi. MSF reported that North Kivu is increasingly burdened by the outbreak while access to specialized care remains limited.

As of September 28, 34% of confirmed Ebola patients were being treated in non-specialized health facilities due to limited bed capacity in dedicated treatment centres and diagnostic delays, highlighting the urgent need for increased resources and support.