GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – According to the World Health Organization, reductions in Ebola transmission are evident in several of the most severely affected regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The most significant progress is observed in parts of Ituri province, which has been the primary focus of the outbreak. Nonetheless, the epidemic continues to expand into other areas. As of official data collected through September 13, there have been 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 fatalities across seven provinces, with a reported national case fatality ratio of 48.4%.
While South Kivu has not reported new cases since May and more patients are recovering nationwide, official statistics indicate that 1,726 people had recovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by September 13. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remarked that recent trends show promising signs after months of rapid spread, though he emphasized that the epidemic still results in deaths and continues to grow. The outbreak now impacts 62 health zones, highlighting considerable differences between the affected provinces.
Despite a recent decline in transmission, Ituri remains the epicenter of the outbreak, with approximately 300 new cases and 160 deaths recorded there during the latest weekly period reported by health officials. These figures make up nearly half of the country’s total for that period. Conversely, North Kivu is experiencing an upward trend, with weekly infections nearly doubling over two weeks—from around 100 cases to over 200—as health teams monitor the expanding transmission.
Increase in North Kivu cases as Ituri sees transmission decrease
The ongoing epidemic involves Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola that has spread across a broad geographic area since May. Ituri accounts for most of the total cases, while North Kivu has become the second most affected province. Haut-Uélé continues to report ongoing transmission as well. Recently, the outbreak extended into Sud-Ubangi, raising the number of impacted provinces to seven. This expansion occurred after months in which health authorities documented new cases across northeastern and central regions of the country.
Health teams are actively conducting clinical research as part of their response, with increased participation in trials related to treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis. Efforts also include surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and clinical management. Because transmission patterns vary widely between provinces and health zones, officials are closely monitoring infection trends. This uneven distribution means that while some areas report declining case numbers, others experience rapid increases.
Ongoing efforts across multiple health zones
The response involves collaboration between national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and hundreds of partner organizations working alongside frontline medical teams. Challenges such as insecurity and population displacement complicate access to affected areas, hampering surveillance, contact tracing, and prompt medical treatment. Vulnerable communities like mining areas, informal settlements, and displacement sites also pose operational difficulties due to limited health services, sanitation, and infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, response teams continue their work across urban centers and remote communities.
Latest data show notable progress in some locations, such as South Kivu, which has not reported new cases for months, and Ituri, where transmission has decreased from previously high levels. However, North Kivu continues to see a significant rise in weekly infections. Because the epidemic exhibits different dynamics across the country, officials are monitoring each affected area separately. The outbreak’s severity is underscored by more than 3,500 confirmed deaths, illustrating its ongoing scale.