GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – World Health Organization reports that Ebola transmission is decreasing in some of the most affected regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The most noticeable improvements are seen in parts of Ituri province, which is the epicenter of the outbreak. Nonetheless, the epidemic continues to expand in other locations. According to official data up to Sept. 13, there have been 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces, with the national case fatality ratio standing at 48.4%.
South Kivu has not reported any new cases since May, and more patients are recovering nationwide. As of Sept. 13, the Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded 1,726 recoveries. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that recent trends offer promising signs after months of rapid transmission. However, he emphasized that the epidemic is still growing and causing fatalities. The outbreak now affects 62 health zones, indicating significant differences between the provinces impacted.
Despite recent declines in transmission, Ituri remains the central focus of the outbreak. During the latest weekly period cited by health authorities, around 300 new cases and 160 deaths were reported in that region. These cases accounted for nearly half of the national total for the same period. Conversely, North Kivu shows signs of an opposite trend. Weekly infections there nearly doubled over two weeks, increasing from approximately 100 to more than 200 cases as health teams monitor the expanding spread.
Increase in North Kivu Cases Contrasts with Decline in Ituri
This ongoing outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola that has affected a broad area since May. Ituri holds the highest cumulative case numbers, while North Kivu ranks as the second most affected province. Haut-Uélé continues to report cases as well. Recently, the outbreak extended into Sud-Ubangi, raising the total affected provinces to seven. This expansion followed months of new cases being documented in northeastern and central parts of the country.
Research efforts are integral to the overall response, with health teams conducting studies across impacted communities. Trials for treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis have increased as community engagement improves. The response strategy includes surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and clinical management. Officials are closely watching infection patterns, as transmission varies significantly between provinces and health zones. The uneven nature of the outbreak means that while some areas see a decline, others experience rapid growth.
Continued Efforts in Multiple Health Zones Amid Ongoing Transmission
The coordinated response involves national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and numerous partner organizations working alongside frontline medical teams. Insecurity and population displacements continue to hinder access in many affected zones. These challenges can limit surveillance, contact tracing, and timely medical treatment. Operations in mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites are particularly difficult due to limited health services, sanitation, and infrastructure. Nevertheless, response teams remain active in urban centers and remote rural areas.
Recent data show progress in some locations, such as South Kivu, which has not seen new cases for months, and Ituri, where transmission has decreased from previously high levels. Meanwhile, North Kivu continues to experience a sharp rise in weekly infections. Authorities are monitoring each affected area separately because the epidemic exhibits different patterns across the country. The outbreak has resulted in over 3,500 confirmed deaths, underscoring its ongoing severity and scale.