The United Nations has announced the release of nearly $60 million from its emergency response fund to help contain the growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as health officials warn of worsening conditions in the region.

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said the organization will also deploy additional personnel to support response efforts on the ground.

In a post on X, Fletcher stressed the urgency of rapid intervention, noting that aid teams are operating in extremely challenging conditions marked by armed conflict and large-scale population movements.

Health experts say the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which no approved vaccine currently exists. The virus is believed to have circulated undetected for nearly two months in Ituri province before authorities identified it last week.

According to current estimates, the outbreak has resulted in 160 deaths among approximately 670 suspected cases.

The World Health Organization and humanitarian agencies have warned that insecurity, weak healthcare infrastructure, and high mobility across eastern Congo are complicating efforts to contain the disease.