GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization reports signs of progress against Ebola in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Transmission has decreased in several areas, notably in Ituri province, which remains the outbreak’s primary hotspot. As of September 13, national data indicate there have been 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces. The country has also seen 1,726 recoveries, with the case fatality ratio at 48.4%.
Since May, South Kivu has not reported any new Ebola cases, indicating some progress in certain affected zones. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that recent trends are promising after months of widespread spread. Nevertheless, the outbreak continues to grow and cause fatalities. Cases have been identified in 62 health zones, highlighting large disparities between provinces. While some areas see declining transmission, others face sharp increases.
Despite a slowdown, Ituri still accounts for the majority of cases. Health officials reported about 300 new cases and 160 deaths there in the most recent week. Nearly half of the national total for that period was from Ituri. North Kivu exhibited a different pattern. Weekly cases nearly doubled over two weeks, rising from about 100 to over 200 as teams monitored the expanding spread.
North Kivu Experiences Significant Rise in Weekly Cases
The current outbreak was declared in mid-May 2026. Laboratory tests identified Bundibugyo virus disease as the cause. Since then, the epidemic has spread widely across the country. Ituri remains the province with the highest cumulative burden. North Kivu is second. Haut-Uélé also continues to see cases. The virus has reached Sud-Ubangi, expanding the number of affected provinces to seven and broadening the response area.
Research is now a key part of the Ebola response. Health teams are working in affected communities on trials for treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis. Participation in these trials has increased. WHO and national health authorities continue efforts in surveillance, lab testing, contact tracing, isolation, and clinical care. They monitor local trends closely, as infection levels vary widely between provinces and zones. The latest figures reveal that national totals alone do not reflect the uneven transmission pattern.
Response Efforts Cover Seven Provinces
Support from national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and partners remains vital. Frontline teams operate across affected regions. Insecurity and displacement hinder access in eastern and northern parts of the country. These conditions challenge surveillance, contact tracing, and timely medical services. Teams also work in mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites. Some of these areas have limited healthcare, sanitation, and transportation, adding operational difficulties for containment efforts.
Recent confirmed data show progress in some locations, but the outbreak still impacts the country heavily. South Kivu has gone months without new cases. Ituri has lower transmission rates than earlier. Meanwhile, North Kivu still reports increasing weekly infections. Authorities are closely watching each province as patterns change. The outbreak’s scale remains significant, with over 3,500 confirmed deaths and thousands of cases.