GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – According to the World Health Organization, certain regions within the Democratic Republic of the Congo are demonstrating signs of advancement in combating Ebola. Cases have decreased in multiple zones, notably in Ituri province, which remains the primary epicenter of the outbreak. As of September 13, official national data indicated 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces. The country has also documented 1,726 recoveries, with an overall case fatality rate of 48.4%.
In South Kivu, no new Ebola cases have been reported since May, providing further evidence of positive development in certain affected regions. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that recent trends are encouraging after months of extensive transmission. Nonetheless, he emphasized that the outbreak persists, continuing to spread and cause fatalities. Cases have been identified across 62 health zones, revealing significant disparities between provinces. While some areas are experiencing declining transmission rates, others are witnessing sharp increases.
Despite a recent decrease in transmission, Ituri still accounts for the majority of cases. During the most recent weekly period, health officials reported roughly 300 new infections and 160 deaths there. These infections represented nearly half of the country’s total for that period. Conversely, North Kivu has exhibited a different trend; weekly cases almost doubled over two weeks, rising from about 100 to over 200 as response teams continue to monitor the expanding spread.
Weekly Ebola infections surge in North Kivu
The current outbreak was officially declared in mid-May 2026, with laboratory tests confirming Bundibugyo virus disease as the cause. The epidemic has spread extensively across the country, with Ituri maintaining the highest cumulative case count, followed by North Kivu. Haut-Uélé continues to report new cases, and the virus has now reached Sud-Ubangi, increasing the number of affected provinces to seven and broadening the scope of intervention efforts.
Efforts in clinical research have gained momentum as health teams actively work within impacted communities. Trials involving new treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis have grown, with increased participation. Simultaneously, WHO and national health agencies maintain surveillance, conduct laboratory testing, trace contacts, isolate patients, and provide clinical care. Given the wide variability in infection rates between provinces and health zones, authorities closely observe local trends. Recent data reveal that national figures alone do not adequately reflect the uneven transmission patterns across the country.
Seven provinces involved in Ebola containment efforts
Support from national health agencies, WHO, Africa CDC, and other partners remains crucial in aiding front-line teams across the affected regions. Challenges such as insecurity and displacement hinder access in eastern and northern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which can restrict surveillance activities, contact tracing, and timely medical intervention. Response teams also operate in mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites, many of which have limited healthcare, sanitation, and transportation infrastructure, adding operational complexity to containment measures.
Latest confirmed figures show progress in certain areas, yet the outbreak continues to exact a significant toll nationally. South Kivu has remained free of new cases for months, while Ituri reports lower transmission compared to earlier in the epidemic. Conversely, North Kivu continues to see an increase in weekly cases. Authorities are therefore monitoring each province individually as transmission patterns evolve. Overall, more than 3,500 confirmed deaths and thousands of cases underline the outbreak’s extensive scale.