GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization reports that Ebola transmission is decreasing in certain regions hardest hit within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This positive trend is most evident in parts of Ituri province, which has been the epicenter of the outbreak. Nevertheless, the epidemic persists and continues to expand in other areas. Data up to September 13 indicate a total of 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces, with the national case fatality rate at 48.4%.
South Kivu has not reported any new cases since May, and nationwide, more patients are recovering. According to official reports, 1,726 recoveries had been documented by September 13. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described recent trends as encouraging signs after months of rapid transmission. He emphasized, however, that the outbreak remains a threat with ongoing fatalities. The epidemic currently impacts 62 health zones, revealing notable disparities between the affected provinces.
Ituri continues to be the primary hotspot despite signs of transmission decline. During the latest weekly reporting period, health officials recorded around 300 new cases and 160 deaths there, accounting for nearly half of the national total. Conversely, North Kivu is experiencing an opposite trend, with weekly infections nearly doubling over two weeks—from approximately 100 cases to over 200—as health teams monitor the expanding spread.
Rising cases in North Kivu contrast with declining transmission in Ituri
The ongoing outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease, a variant of Ebola, which has spread over a broad geographic area since May. Ituri holds the largest share of cumulative cases, while North Kivu ranks second in affected provinces. Haut-Uélé continues to report active transmission, and the outbreak has recently reached Sud-Ubangi, increasing the total number of affected provinces to seven. This expansion followed months of documented new cases across northeastern and central regions of the country.
Health teams are conducting clinical research as part of their response efforts, including trials for treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis, which have gained momentum with greater community participation. The overall response encompasses surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and clinical care. Officials remain vigilant in monitoring infection patterns since transmission varies significantly between provinces and health zones. This uneven landscape means reductions in case numbers in one area may coincide with rapid increases elsewhere in the country.
Continued Response Efforts in Multiple Health Zones
The ongoing response involves collaboration among national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and numerous partner organizations working with frontline medical teams. Security issues and population displacement continue to hinder access to affected zones, complicating surveillance, contact tracing, and timely medical intervention. Mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites pose operational challenges, often characterized by limited healthcare services, sanitation, and infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, response teams maintain operations across both urban centers and remote communities.
Recent figures highlight tangible progress in several locations, yet the Democratic Republic of the Congo still faces intense transmission. South Kivu remains free of new cases for months, while transmission in Ituri has decreased from earlier high levels. Meanwhile, North Kivu continues to see a sharp weekly rise in infections. Authorities are carefully monitoring each affected region separately, recognizing the epidemic’s diverse patterns across the country. The more than 3,500 confirmed deaths underline the ongoing severity of the outbreak.