The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced that confirmed Ebola cases have now reached 1,307, with 377 fatalities. The latest figures, released late on Monday, indicate that these confirmed cases have been recorded across three provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu.

The outbreak's expansion to a fourth province, Haut-Uele, which borders South Sudan and the Central African Republic, was reported by AFP. A source from the DRC’s National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) confirmed the detection of a case in Haut-Uele, stemming from an infected individual who had traveled from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province. This individual has since died, according to another health source.

Authorities are actively working to trace the transmission chain and identify contacts in the newly affected province. The spread to Haut-Uele signifies that the DRC's entire northeastern region, with a population of approximately 15 million people, is now impacted by the epidemic. The conflict-ridden province of Ituri remains the epicenter of the country's 17th Ebola outbreak, which began in May.

Health experts have identified funerals as a significant vector for the virus's spread, given the high infectivity of deceased Ebola victims. For weeks, aid workers have faced challenges in implementing safe burial practices due to mistrust from local communities. Traditional Congolese funerals can extend for several days, involving close contact with the body of the deceased by family and friends.

Reporting from a treatment center in Rwampara, Ituri province, Al Jazeera's Catherine Wambua-Soi noted that healthcare workers often face shortages of essential equipment and security concerns. The centers have been targeted, with tents previously set ablaze by angry mobs, highlighting the persistent distrust some Congolese citizens hold towards aid providers. "They need more of everything: protective gear, medicines, rapid test kits … and body bags," Wambua-Soi reported.

In an effort to curb the escalating outbreak, the government imposed a ban on public gatherings in four provinces, including the capital, Kinshasa, on Saturday. This measure was enacted prior to a planned protest in Kinshasa on July 8, concerning constitutional reform. Opposition figures have characterized the ban as politically motivated.

This latest Ebola outbreak in the DRC has been characterized by its rapid spread and the challenges faced by healthcare professionals. The involvement of multiple provinces, including those bordering neighboring countries, raises concerns about regional containment. The logistical and security hurdles in affected areas, particularly in conflict zones like Ituri, complicate response efforts.

The government's ban on public gatherings, while aimed at public health, has also ignited political debate. The interplay between the health crisis and political dynamics in the DRC is a critical factor in the ongoing response and recovery efforts.