Congo Health Authorities Report Over 6,000 Confirmed Ebola Cases, Nearly 3,000 Deaths

BUNIA, Congo — Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported Monday that the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak has exceeded 6,000 confirmed cases and 2,911 deaths.

More than 1,360 patients have recovered from the virus, a development authorities described as “encouraging.”

The outbreak in eastern Congo is spreading amid extremely challenging conditions, driven by insecurity, population displacement, a strike by health workers, and intense movement of people. The situation is especially worrying at displacement camps, where residents already live in highly precarious conditions.

Last week, the virus spread to two additional health zones in the region.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that the outbreak remains uncontrolled and is poised to surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic, the deadliest on record, which claimed more than 11,000 lives, primarily in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

On Saturday, an Ebola response team was attacked on the outskirts of Mambasa in Ituri Province while responding to a call to secure a body. A group of youths armed with machetes stormed the funeral site, forcing the team to flee and injuring one member, a representative told The Associated Press.

“We demand greater security so we can operate in the field and perform our duties without risking our lives,” said Floribert Magene, a member of the response team.

Bodies of those who died from Ebola can be highly contagious and may lead to further transmission when people prepare them for burial or gather for funerals.

In response to the outbreak, Congolese authorities have mandated that, wherever possible, the hazardous task of burying suspected victims be handled by officials, a policy that has occasionally triggered protests from families and friends.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment.

Last week, the DRC began vaccinating health and other front‑line workers with the Ervebo vaccine, which proved effective in previous Ebola outbreaks caused by the more common Zaire strain.

Clinical trials are currently underway to develop a licensed vaccine against the Bundibugyo virus.

Although the current outbreak was officially declared in mid‑May, officials believe it had been circulating since February. It has expanded from three health zones to nearly 60, with the majority of cases and deaths occurring outside monitored contact networks and within communities.

Efforts to curb the outbreak—including restrictions on public gatherings, social distancing measures, and airport closures—have disrupted daily life across six provinces, especially Ituri, which is also plagued by rebel violence.

The government has implemented some measures, such as installing health and sanitary equipment at certain sites, but advocacy groups argue that more effort is needed to build community trust.

While neighboring Uganda declared itself free of Ebola last month, WHO cautioned last week that the risk of further cross‑border transmission persists.

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