France, Sept. 3 -- The latest official toll released by the Congolese National Institute of Public Health on Wednesday showed 6,186 confirmed cases and 3,007 deaths, making a fatality rate of 48.6 percent.

A total of 1,409 people have reportedly recovered.

The outbreak, which was declared on 15 May in the remote northeastern province of Ituri, has spread to six provinces in areas where the presence of the Congolese state is weak and insecurity is widespread due to the presence of armed groups.

The health response has been overwhelmed by the number of cases, while the insecurity - as well as community resistance - have made it harder to identify and treat patients early.

The WHO estimates that around 60 percent of deaths happen outside...