AUTHORITIES in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reported one of the highest single-day increases in Ebola cases, as weak contact tracing, insecurity and funding gaps continue to hinder the response to the latest outbreak.

Seventy-two new cases were reported by the Health Ministry in a 24-hour period on Sunday, bringing confirmed cases to 782, including 181 deaths.

The rare Bundibugyo virus has no approved vaccine or treatment, unlike the Zaire virus responsible for most of the previous 16 outbreaks in the DRC.

The outbreak, which began last month, is concentrated in the eastern Ituri province, which accounts for more than 90 per cent of cases.

Cases have also been recorded in North and South Kivu as well as across the border in Uganda.

The current fatality rate stands at 23 per cent, with 56 people having recovered.

Nearly a million people have been displaced by armed conflict in Ituri, making contact tracing extremely difficult across a vast province with dense forests, poor roads and remote villages that can take days to reach.

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention head Jean Kaseya said: “We remain committed to supporting affected countries until transmission is stopped.

“We call on partners and donors to urgently mobilise resources to strengthen the response and save lives.”