The World Health Organization has raised the Ebola outbreak risk level in the Democratic Republic of Congo to “very high” nationally as suspected infections continue to rise.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that preliminary estimates indicate around 750 suspected cases and 177 virus-related deaths, while 82 infections and seven deaths have been officially confirmed.

The organization stressed that violence and insecurity are hindering response efforts, noting that the current outbreak is linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine is currently available.