KINSHASA / RankWire.AI / – Since its latest outbreak began, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed a total of 8,067 Ebola cases. As of September 26, the death toll stood at 3,901, resulting in a case fatality rate of approximately 48%. The disease has been reported in 63 health zones within seven of the country’s 26 provinces. This outbreak is now recognized as the largest and deadliest Ebola epidemic in the nation’s history.
The government announced the outbreak on May 15, attributing it to the Bundibugyo virus. It marks the 17th documented Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Bundibugyo virus is known to cause severe illness in humans. According to the World Health Organization, there is no licensed vaccine or approved treatment specifically targeting Bundibugyo virus disease.
While Ituri remains the primary hotspot, infections have also spread to various other regions. The affected provinces include Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut Uele, Bas Uele, and Sud Ubangi. Data from WHO indicated that by September 23, Ituri had reported cases in 28 of its 36 health zones. North Kivu had cases in 16 of its 34 health zones.
Cases decrease but transmission levels stay high
Recent reports from the World Health Organization show a decline in new infections and fatalities. The organization noted that incident cases dropped by 20.3% over the last two 14-day periods. Deaths also decreased by 24.2% during the same timeframe. Despite this, transmission remains intense in certain parts of Ituri, including regions where local trends continue to worsen according to health officials.
As of September 26, health teams reported 2,070 recoveries. Efforts such as surveillance, treatment, contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention, and community outreach are ongoing in affected zones. Challenges persist in promptly detecting cases and ensuring patients receive treatment quickly. Community deaths are still a major concern, indicating that some infected individuals may not be reaching care early enough.
The outbreak exceeds previous Ebola crises in Congo
This epidemic has surpassed the scale of the 2018 to 2020 Ebola outbreak in the country, which recorded 3,481 cases and 2,299 deaths. The current outbreak is also the second largest Ebola epidemic worldwide. The largest was the 2014 to 2016 West Africa epidemic, which involved over 28,600 infections and more than 11,300 deaths.
Health officials continue to monitor the geographic spread of the disease, especially since several affected provinces border international nations. Dungu health zone in Haut Uele borders South Sudan, while Sud Ubangi shares borders with the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo. Response teams are prioritizing early detection, patient care, and infection control. Despite a recent decline in cases and deaths, the latest national data indicates that Ebola transmission persists.