The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed 600 lives, according to updated figures released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), marking a sharp increase just three days after the death toll surpassed 500.   According to Channels Television, the WHO said the DRC has recorded 1,759 confirmed Ebola cases since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, with 600 confirmed deaths, giving the outbreak a case fatality rate of 34 per cent. Health authorities said 285 patients have recovered, while 304 suspected cases remain under investigation. The outbreak has spread across four provinces in northeastern DRC, with the epicentre in Ituri Province, a mineral-rich region affected by persistent armed conflict. Neighbouring Uganda has also reported infections, with 20 confirmed cases. Two people have died, while 17 patients have recovered. The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments. Clinical trials evaluating two potential therapies began in the DRC on July 2. Researchers are testing the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, both individually and in combination, to determine their effectiveness against the Bundibugyo strain. Ebola is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever that spreads through close contact with infected people or their bodily fluids. The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15 following several deaths in Ituri Province.