The World Health Organization has announced the first confirmed recovery from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

WHO spokesperson Anais Legand said the patient was discharged on May 27 after testing negative for the virus following treatment and monitoring.

The outbreak, involving the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has recorded at least 1,077 suspected cases and 246 deaths since it was declared on May 15, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health officials said the recovery highlights the importance of early detection, isolation and supportive care, while warning that more cases could still emerge as contact tracing continues.

Meanwhile, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Kinshasa to support response efforts and is expected to visit the outbreak’s epicentre in Ituri province.