GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization reports that certain regions within the Democratic Republic of the Congo demonstrate signs of advancement in combating Ebola. Transmission rates have decreased in multiple locations, notably in Ituri province, which remains the central hub of the outbreak. As of September 13, national statistics indicate 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 fatalities across seven provinces. The total recoveries have reached 1,726, with a case fatality ratio of 48.4% overall.
Since May, South Kivu has not reported any new Ebola cases, providing additional evidence of progress in some affected districts. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commented that recent trends are encouraging after months of extensive transmission. Nevertheless, he also emphasized that the outbreak persists and continues to cause fatalities. Health officials have identified cases in 62 health zones, highlighting significant disparities between provinces. While some areas see declining transmission, others are experiencing sharp increases in cases.
Despite a recent slowdown in transmission, Ituri still accounts for the largest share of cases. During the latest weekly review, officials recorded approximately 300 new infections and 160 deaths in this province, representing nearly half of the national total for that period. In contrast, North Kivu has experienced a different pattern, with weekly cases nearly doubling over two weeks—from around 100 to over 200—as response teams monitored the expanding spread.
North Kivu sees notable rise in weekly Ebola cases
The current outbreak was officially declared in mid-May 2026, with laboratory tests confirming Bundibugyo virus disease as the cause. Since then, the epidemic has spread widely across the country. Ituri remains the province with the highest total burden, with North Kivu ranking second. Haut-Uélé continues to report cases, and the virus has also reached Sud-Ubangi, expanding the affected provinces to seven and broadening the scope of intervention efforts.
Health teams are increasingly involved in clinical research, conducting trials on treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis as participation grows. WHO, along with national health authorities, maintains active surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation measures, and clinical care. Because infection levels vary greatly between provinces and health zones, officials closely monitor local trends, recognizing that national totals alone do not fully reflect the transmission patterns.
Response efforts extend across seven provinces affected by Ebola
Support from national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and other partners continues to bolster frontline response teams across affected regions. Insecurity and displacement hinder access in parts of eastern and northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, complicating surveillance, contact tracing, and delivery of timely healthcare. Teams also work within mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites, where limited health services, sanitation, and transportation infrastructure present additional challenges for containment efforts.
Recent confirmed figures reflect progress in several areas, yet the outbreak still exerts a heavy toll on the nation. South Kivu has remained free of new cases for months, and Ituri reports reduced transmission compared to earlier in the epidemic. Conversely, North Kivu continues to see an increase in weekly cases. As such, health authorities track each province independently, recognizing the shifting patterns across the country. The outbreak’s magnitude remains significant, with over 3,500 confirmed deaths and thousands of cases.