Ebola spreads beyond DR Congo hotspot, 400+ dead

Ebola cases are now being reported outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s traditional hotspot, with a new infection confirmed almost 600 kilometres from the original outbreak zone. Health officials say the patient was identified in a remote community where the virus was previously undetected, raising concerns about the disease’s potential to spread across wider regions of Central Africa. The World Health Organization has urged intensified surveillance and rapid response measures to prevent further transmission.

In a separate humanitarian crisis, the United Nations has warned of a worsening human‑rights situation in Sudan’s besieged city of al‑Obeid. According to UN reports, residents are facing severe shortages of food, water and medical supplies amid ongoing military operations. The UN has called for an immediate cease‑fire and unrestricted access for aid workers to address the escalating needs of civilians trapped in the conflict zone.