DR Congo's public health institute confirmed on Sunday that Ebola has reached North Ubangi province, marking the eighth province affected in the current outbreak with two cases, including one death.
The patients were men in their 20s from the Wapinda health zone. This zone is near the border with Bas-Uele, where Ebola had already been reported. North Ubangi also borders the Central African Republic.
This brings the outbreak into a hard-to-reach area where poor roads and limited communications could complicate surveillance and response efforts. The confirmation followed reports earlier in the week from health officials, but Congolese authorities had not announced the cases at that time. The latest national figures cited by authorities recorded 9,415 cases and 4,536 deaths through October 16.
Eastern Ituri province still accounts for most new infections. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The World Health Organization says there is no vaccine or specific treatment for this virus.
Ebola cases have also been reported in neighboring countries. Uganda had declared its outbreak over, while Kenya reported an eighth case on Sunday. Health officials have warned that persuading sick people to seek care remains a challenge.
They noted that some deaths occur outside health facilities.