The fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has now spread to a sixth province, officials confirmed. The latest case, a death in Bas-Uele province, marks a significant expansion of the virus's reach.

This development comes just days after the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the current outbreak is on track to surpass the deadliest in history, which claimed at least 11,000 lives over a decade ago. The speed of this outbreak is a major concern for global health authorities.

According to the latest government figures released on Tuesday, the current outbreak has resulted in more than 2,100 deaths from over 4,500 cases. This is in stark contrast to the 2014-16 West Africa outbreak, the previous deadliest, where only 755 cases had been recorded at a comparable stage.

The newly identified death in Bas-Uele province involved an individual who had traveled from Haut-Uele province. Jean Kaseya, director general of Africa CDC, announced the death, highlighting the virus's ability to spread across provincial borders.

The strain of the virus responsible for the current epidemic is the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments. The death toll has been reached at a rate nearly three times faster than in the 2014-16 outbreak, according to health officials.

Six of the DRC's 26 provinces are now affected, primarily in the country's north-eastern regions. Haut-Uele province, from which the deceased traveler originated, has recorded a significant number of cases. Ituri province, where the outbreak was first reported, accounts for the majority of cases, with over 3,400 recorded there.

The outbreak is occurring amidst numerous challenges, including strikes by some unpaid health workers, reductions in global development aid, threats from rebel groups, and widespread misinformation that questions the existence of Ebola. These factors complicate containment efforts and public health responses.

Neighboring Uganda has reported 20 cases of Ebola, all concentrated in its capital, Kampala. However, the last case in Uganda was reported on June 21, and no community transmission has been recorded there recently, suggesting current efforts may be containing the spread within Uganda.