GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – According to the World Health Organization, some regions within the Democratic Republic of the Congo are demonstrating signs of advancement in the battle against Ebola. In several localities, transmission rates have decreased, notably in Ituri province, which continues to be the outbreak’s primary hotspot. As of September 13, national data indicated a total of 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces. The country has also documented 1,726 recoveries, with the overall case fatality ratio standing at 48.4%.
Since May, South Kivu has not reported any new Ebola cases, further supporting evidence of progress in certain affected regions. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that recent trends provided promising signs after months marked by widespread transmission. He also emphasized that the outbreak still persists, expanding and resulting in fatalities. Authorities have identified cases in 62 health zones, highlighting significant variations between provinces. While some areas experience declining transmission, others face sharp increases, reflecting a complex epidemiological landscape.
Despite a recent slowdown, Ituri remains the province with the largest number of cases. Officials reported approximately 300 new infections and 160 deaths there during the latest weekly period, accounting for nearly half of the national total in that timeframe. Conversely, North Kivu has exhibited a different pattern, with weekly cases nearly doubling over two weeks, rising from around 100 to over 200 as response teams continue to monitor expanding transmission.
North Kivu Sees Significant Surge in Weekly Cases
The current outbreak was declared in mid-May 2026, with laboratory findings confirming Bundibugyo virus disease as the causative agent. Since then, the epidemic has spread extensively across the country. Ituri remains the province with the highest total burden, followed by North Kivu. Haut-Uélé continues to report cases, and the virus has now reached Sud-Ubangi, increasing the number of affected provinces to seven and broadening the scope of ongoing response efforts.
Health teams have incorporated clinical research into the Ebola response, working directly in affected communities. Trials involving treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis have expanded as participation has grown. WHO and national health authorities continue their surveillance efforts, including laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and clinical care. Monitoring local trends remains crucial since infection levels vary considerably between provinces and health zones. Current data indicate that national totals alone do not fully reflect the uneven transmission pattern.
Response Efforts Cover Seven Provinces Affected by Ebola
Support from national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and other partners persists for front-line teams operating across the affected regions. Challenges such as insecurity and displacement hinder access in parts of eastern and northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, affecting surveillance, contact tracing, and timely medical interventions. Teams are also active in mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites, where limited health services, sanitation, and transportation infrastructure add operational difficulties as they work to contain the outbreak.
The latest verified figures highlight progress in multiple locations, yet the outbreak continues to exact a heavy toll nationally. South Kivu remains free of new cases for months, and Ituri reports lower transmission rates than earlier in the epidemic. Conversely, North Kivu continues to see weekly increases in cases. Authorities monitor each province independently as transmission patterns evolve, with over 3,500 confirmed deaths and thousands of cases underscoring the magnitude of this public health crisis.