GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization reports that Ebola transmission is decreasing in certain regions most affected by the outbreak within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This positive trend is particularly evident in parts of Ituri province, which remains the epicenter of the epidemic. Nevertheless, the outbreak continues to expand in other regions, with official statistics up to September 13 indicating 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces, resulting in a case fatality ratio of 48.4% at the national level.
While South Kivu has not reported any new cases since May, more patients are recovering across the country. According to official data, there have been 1,726 recoveries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as of September 13. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that recent trends offer promising signs after months of intense transmission, but he also emphasized that the epidemic continues to grow and lead to fatalities. Currently, the outbreak affects 62 health zones, illustrating significant disparities between impacted provinces.
Despite a recent decline in transmission, Ituri remains the primary hotspot of the outbreak, with approximately 300 new cases and 160 deaths reported there during the most recent weekly period cited by health authorities. These cases nearly account for half of the national total for that period. Conversely, North Kivu is experiencing an upward trend, with weekly infections almost doubling over two weeks—from around 100 to over 200 cases—as health teams track the expanding transmission.
Increase in North Kivu cases contrasts with Ituri’s decline
The ongoing epidemic involves the Bundibugyo virus disease, a strain of Ebola that has spread across a broad geographic region since May. Ituri continues to be the most affected in terms of cumulative cases, while North Kivu has risen to the second most impacted province. Haut-Uélé also remains affected by ongoing transmission. Recently, the outbreak extended into Sud-Ubangi, bringing the total number of affected provinces to seven. This expansion followed months during which health officials documented new cases in northeastern and central regions of the country.
As part of the response efforts, clinical research activities are underway in affected communities, with increased trials involving treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis, supported by improved community participation. The broader response encompasses surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation measures, and clinical management. Officials continue to monitor infection patterns closely because the transmission dynamics vary significantly between provinces and health zones. This uneven distribution means that declining case numbers in some areas can coexist with rapid growth elsewhere in the country.
Efforts persist across multiple health zones
The ongoing response involves collaboration among national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and numerous partner organizations working alongside frontline medical teams. Challenges such as insecurity and population displacement continue to hinder access to some affected regions, complicating surveillance, contact tracing, and timely medical intervention. Mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites often have limited healthcare infrastructure, sanitation, and services, creating operational hurdles for response teams. Nonetheless, efforts remain active across urban centers and remote areas alike.
The latest data indicate significant progress in certain regions; for example, South Kivu has seen months without new cases, and Ituri has experienced a decrease from previously high transmission levels. However, North Kivu still reports a notable rise in weekly infections. Authorities are tracking each affected area independently since the epidemic exhibits different patterns across the country. The ongoing outbreak has resulted in more than 3,500 confirmed deaths, underscoring its persistent severity.