GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – According to the World Health Organization, the spread of Ebola is decreasing in several of the most affected regions within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This positive trend is particularly noticeable in parts of Ituri province, which is the primary hub of the outbreak. Despite this, the epidemic continues to widen in other regions. Data up to September 13 reveals a total of 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 fatalities across seven provinces, with the case fatality rate at 48.4%.
Since May, South Kivu has not reported any new cases, and across the country, more patients are recovering. Official reports indicated 1,726 recoveries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as of September 13. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the latest data offers hopeful signs following months of rapid transmission. He emphasized, however, that the epidemic is still expanding and causing fatalities. The outbreak now affects 62 health zones, revealing significant variations between the impacted provinces.
Despite recent reductions in transmission, Ituri remains the outbreak’s primary epicenter. During the latest week reported by health authorities, approximately 300 new cases and 160 deaths were registered there. These figures accounted for nearly half of the national total during that period. Conversely, North Kivu shows an opposite trend, with weekly cases nearly doubling over two weeks—from around 100 to more than 200—as health teams continue to monitor the expanding spread.
Rising cases in North Kivu contrast with declining transmission in Ituri
The ongoing outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola that has spread over a broad geographic area since May. Ituri has reported the majority of cumulative cases, with North Kivu now ranking as the second most affected province. Haut-Uélé also continues to see active transmission. Recently, the outbreak reached Sud-Ubangi, raising the total number of affected provinces to seven. This expansion followed months of documented new cases across northeastern and central regions of the country.
As part of the response, clinical research is ongoing as health teams work within impacted communities. Trials testing treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis have increased, driven by improved community engagement. The overall response encompasses surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and clinical management. Officials maintain close watch on infection trends because transmission patterns vary greatly between provinces and health zones. The uneven nature of the outbreak means that while some areas experience declines, others may see rapid increases simultaneously.
Active measures persist in all affected regions
The ongoing effort involves national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and numerous partner organizations collaborating with frontline medical teams. Challenges remain due to insecurity and population displacement, which hinder access to certain areas. These conditions complicate surveillance efforts, contact tracing, and timely medical intervention. Additionally, mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites pose operational difficulties because many of these locations have limited health infrastructure, sanitation, and services. Despite these obstacles, response teams continue their work across urban centers and remote communities.
Latest reports show some measurable progress in select locations; however, intense transmission persists throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. South Kivu has not experienced new cases for months, and Ituri has seen a decline from previous high levels. Meanwhile, North Kivu continues to report a sharp weekly rise in infections. Authorities are tracking each affected area separately, given the different transmission patterns across the country. The outbreak’s scale remains significant, with over 3,500 confirmed deaths highlighting its ongoing severity.