Congo: The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to 3,973, including 1,801 deaths, according to government data released yesterday, as health authorities are continuing to intensify efforts to contain the outbreak.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the rise in cases comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) warns of the accelerating spread of the virus, saying infection rates in some areas are now outpacing current response capacities.

During a visit to the Congo, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for intensified efforts to combat Ebola, stressing the need to protect healthcare workers and provide them with the resources and support required to continue responding to the outbreak.