GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – World Health Organization reports that certain regions within the Democratic Republic of the Congo are demonstrating signs of progress in combating Ebola. Transmission rates have decreased in several areas, notably in Ituri province, which remains the primary epicenter of the outbreak. As of September 13, official figures indicate 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 fatalities across seven provinces. The country has also documented 1,726 recoveries, with the overall case fatality ratio standing at 48.4%.
South Kivu has reported no new Ebola infections since May, providing further evidence of improvement in specific affected zones. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that recent trends offer promising signs after months of extensive transmission. Nonetheless, he emphasized that the outbreak continues to spread and cause fatalities. Authorities have identified cases in 62 health zones, revealing significant disparities between provinces. While some regions are experiencing reduced transmission, others are witnessing sharp increases in cases across the country.
Despite a recent slowdown, Ituri remains the province with the highest number of cases. During the latest weekly report, health officials recorded approximately 300 new cases and 160 deaths there, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total for that period. Conversely, North Kivu experienced a different pattern, with weekly cases nearly doubling over two weeks—from roughly 100 to more than 200—as response teams monitored the growing transmission.
North Kivu experiences significant weekly increase in Ebola infections
The current outbreak was officially declared in mid-May 2026, with laboratory results confirming Bundibugyo virus disease as the causative agent. Since then, the epidemic has expanded across a broad area of the country. Ituri continues to bear the highest cumulative burden, followed by North Kivu. Haut-Uélé also reports ongoing cases. The virus has spread to Sud-Ubangi, bringing the total number of affected provinces to seven and broadening the scope of response efforts.
Integration of clinical research has become an integral part of the Ebola response. Health teams are actively working within affected communities, expanding trials related to treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis as participation increases. WHO and national health authorities maintain surveillance through laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and clinical care. Because infection rates vary significantly between provinces and health zones, officials closely monitor local trends, recognizing that national totals alone do not fully reflect the uneven transmission pattern.
Response efforts extend across seven impacted provinces
Support from national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and other partners remains vital for frontline teams in affected regions. Ongoing insecurity and displacement hinder access in parts of eastern and northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, complicating surveillance, contact tracing, and timely medical interventions. Teams also operate within mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites, where limited healthcare infrastructure, sanitation, and transportation pose additional operational challenges in their efforts to contain the virus.
Current confirmed figures indicate progress in various localities, yet the outbreak continues to exact a significant toll on the nation. South Kivu has not recorded new cases for months, and transmission in Ituri has decreased compared to earlier phases. Meanwhile, North Kivu still reports rising weekly infections. Consequently, health authorities are tracking each province independently, as transmission patterns fluctuate across the country. The outbreak remains substantial, with more than 3,500 confirmed deaths and thousands of cases highlighting its ongoing impact.