Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo: 515 confirmed cases and 91 deaths, Ituri remains the epicenter
The deadly Ebola virus (Bundibugyo strain) continues its relentless spread across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The latest situation report from the National Institute of Public Health reveals 515 confirmed cases since the outbreak’s onset in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
91 deaths have been recorded among confirmed cases, representing a case fatality rate of 17.7% according to official data. While 283 patients remain isolated or hospitalized, 12 recoveries have been documented since the epidemic began.
In the last 24 hours alone, health authorities confirmed 27 new cases, signaling the unrelenting nature of this health crisis.
Geographical spread: 25 affected health zones
The outbreak has now affected 25 health zones across the country’s 104 zones. Ituri Province remains the hardest-hit region, with 17 of its 36 health zones affected, including critical areas like Aru, Aungba, Bambu, Bunia, Gety and Mambasa.
North Kivu and South Kivu provinces also show active transmission, with several hotspots persisting beyond the original epicenter. In North Kivu, Katwa health zone leads with 11 confirmed cases and 8 deaths, followed by:
- Beni: 5 cases, 3 deaths
- Butembo: 4 cases, 2 deaths
- Miti-Murhesa: 3 cases, 1 death
- Oicha: 2 cases, 2 deaths
- Kalunguta: 1 case, 1 death
- Kyondo: 1 case, 0 deaths
- Goma: 1 case, 0 deaths
Challenges in the response effort
Health teams face significant obstacles in containing the outbreak. Persistent insecurity in parts of Ituri hampers access to affected communities, while logistical challenges complicate response operations. Health authorities emphasize the urgent need to strengthen community engagement to combat rumors and misinformation that have hindered prevention efforts.
Public health officials continue to urge citizens to report suspected cases immediately and strictly adhere to prevention measures to curb further virus transmission. The situation demands coordinated national and international support to bring this devastating outbreak under control.
Reporting from Bunia
