GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization reports that certain regions within the Democratic Republic of the Congo are demonstrating advancements in their efforts against Ebola. Several areas, notably Ituri province, have experienced a reduction in transmission, although It remains the primary hotspot of the outbreak. According to national data as of Sept. 13, there have been 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces. The nation has also documented 1,726 recoveries, with an overall case fatality ratio of 48.4%.
Since May, South Kivu has not reported any new Ebola cases, adding to evidence of progress in some regions affected by the outbreak. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted recent trends as promising signs following months of extensive transmission. However, he emphasized that the outbreak is still expanding and causing fatalities. Disease surveillance has identified cases across 62 health zones, revealing significant disparities between provinces. While some areas see declining transmission, others are experiencing sharp surges in cases.
Despite a recent slowdown, Ituri remains the epicenter with the highest number of cases. In the latest weekly reporting period, health officials recorded approximately 300 new cases and 160 deaths there, accounting for nearly half of the national total. Conversely, North Kivu has exhibited a different pattern, with weekly cases nearly doubling over a span of two weeks—from about 100 to over 200—as response teams track the expanding spread of the virus.
North Kivu sees significant rise in weekly infection rates
The current Ebola outbreak was officially declared in mid-May 2026, with laboratory tests confirming the Bundibugyo virus disease as the causative agent. Since then, the epidemic has extended across a broad section of the country, with Ituri remaining the most heavily affected province, followed by North Kivu. Haut-Uélé also continues to report cases. The virus has now reached Sud-Ubangi, increasing the number of affected provinces to seven and expanding the scope of response efforts.
Alongside clinical intervention, research efforts are an integral part of the response. As health teams work within affected communities, trials involving potential treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis have grown, driven by increased participation. WHO and national health authorities continue their surveillance activities, including laboratory testing, contact tracing, case isolation, and patient care. Monitoring local trends remains critical, given the wide variation in infection levels among provinces and health zones. The latest data underline that national totals alone do not fully reflect the uneven transmission patterns.
Response efforts extend across seven provinces impacted by Ebola
Support from national health agencies, WHO, Africa CDC, and other partners persists for frontline teams operating in the affected areas. Difficult access caused by insecurity and population displacement complicates efforts in eastern and northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, which can hinder surveillance, contact tracing, and timely medical intervention. Response teams also focus on mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites—locations where limited healthcare, sanitation, and transportation infrastructure further challenge containment measures.
Recent verified figures highlight progress in several regions, even as the outbreak continues to exact a substantial toll nationwide. South Kivu has remained free of new cases for months, and Ituri has seen decreased transmission compared to earlier in the epidemic. In contrast, North Kivu continues to report increasing weekly infections. As such, health authorities are monitoring each province separately, acknowledging the shifting transmission patterns across the country. The outbreak’s scale remains significant, with over 3,500 confirmed deaths and thousands of cases recorded.