An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed at least 131 people, with health authorities warning that the virus may be spreading more widely than official figures currently show.
The World Health Organisation said suspected infections have climbed beyond 500 cases, while modelling estimates suggest the true number may already exceed 1,000 due to undetected transmission.
The outbreak has also been reported in neighbouring Uganda, raising fears of cross-border spread across the region.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he is concerned about the speed at which the disease is spreading and urged stronger containment efforts to curb transmission.
Public health specialist Dr Anne Ancia told the BBC that new assessments indicate the virus has likely reached more areas than initially documented.
She noted that the main outbreak zone in Ituri Province remains difficult for health teams to access due to insecurity and frequent population movement.
She added that cases have now been identified in other regions, including South Kivu and the city of Goma.
Health workers said the virus may have been circulating for weeks before it was formally detected in April, warning that weak surveillance systems could mean additional cases have gone unreported.
In response, several governments in the region have tightened border controls and stepped up screening measures.
Rwanda has imposed restrictions on cross-border movement, while Uganda has advised citizens to avoid physical contact to reduce transmission risk.
Reports also indicated that some foreign nationals who may have been exposed are being evacuated for treatment abroad as health agencies intensify containment efforts.
Ebola virus disease spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids.
Early symptoms include fever, weakness, and fatigue, before progressing to severe illness that can be fatal.
The current outbreak is linked to a rare strain for which no approved vaccine is widely available.
