ITURI PROVINCE — Suspected Ebola cases in eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have climbed to more than 900, health authorities reported. The World Health Organization, as of Friday, had reported 750 cases and 177 deaths connected to the outbreak, the 17th time Ebola has emerged in the country.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there were 82 confirmed cases and seven confirmed deaths, and that the outbreak is believed to be much larger, with 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths expected to rise as surveillance expands. "The outbreak now poses a very high risk for Congo, but the risk of global spread remains low," Tedros said.

The Bundibugyo type of Ebola virus responsible for the outbreak has no approved vaccine or treatment. Ebola attacks the immune system, organs and blood vessels and causes severe inflammation and widespread damage leading to multiorgan failure. While most recent Ebola outbreaks have been detected quickly after a handful of cases, this one went undetected for weeks.

Cases have been reported in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, including in the cities of Goma and Bukavu, where the M23 rebel group controls key areas. The M23 said it was creating a crisis team to fight the outbreak. Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner said the government and rebel authorities are not communicating on the outbreak. "We are trying to catch up," Wagner said.

Supplies are being rushed to Ituri Province, where contact tracing has been made a priority. Nearly one million people have been displaced in Ituri by conflict, according to the United Nations humanitarian office. One of the major hot spots in eastern Congo is an area marked by insecurity, population movement and cross-border links with Uganda. The Allied Democratic Forces, one of the dominant rebel groups in Ituri, is responsible for violent attacks against civilian targets.

Doctors in the town of Bambu were using expired medical masks while treating suspected Ebola patients. "We only have hand sanitizer and a few masks for the nurses," said Julienne Lusenge, president of Women's Solidarity for Inclusive Peace and Development.

Two Ebola treatment centers in the towns of Rwampara and Mongbwalu in eastern Congo were burned in arson attacks. Witnesses and police said local youths burned the center in Rwampara to retrieve the body of a friend who had died.

Authorities in northeastern Congo banned funeral wakes and gatherings of more than 50 people on Friday. Funerals in Ituri Province must be conducted in strict compliance with health protocols. Authorities also require journalists to obtain a permit to report on the outbreak in the province.