GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization reports that Ebola transmission is decreasing in some of the most affected regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This positive trend is most apparent in parts of Ituri province, the primary hotspot of the outbreak. Nevertheless, the epidemic continues to spread in other areas. Official data up to Sept. 13 indicated 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces, with the overall case fatality ratio at 48.4%.
South Kivu has not reported any new cases since May, and recovery rates are improving nationwide. By Sept. 13, the Democratic Republic of the Congo had recorded 1,726 recoveries. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that recent data shows promising signs after months of rapid transmission, though he emphasized that the outbreak still causes deaths and continues to grow. The epidemic now spans 62 health zones, revealing significant disparities between the affected provinces.
Ituri remains the outbreak’s epicenter despite a recent decline in new cases. During the latest weekly period, health officials reported approximately 300 new cases and 160 deaths in the region, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total for that time. Conversely, North Kivu is experiencing an increase, with weekly infections nearly doubling over two weeks from around 100 cases to over 200, as health teams trace the expanding transmission.
North Kivu sees case rise while Ituri reports decline
The ongoing epidemic involves Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola that has spread across a broad geographic area since May. Ituri contributes the majority of cumulative cases, with North Kivu ranking as the second most affected province. Haut-Uélé also continues to record cases. Recently, the outbreak extended into Sud-Ubangi, increasing the number of affected provinces to seven. This expansion followed months of new cases emerging across northeastern and central regions of the country.
Health teams incorporate clinical research into their response, conducting trials on treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis as community participation improves. The response strategy includes surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and clinical care. Officials remain vigilant, as transmission patterns vary widely between provinces and health zones. This uneven spread means some areas see declining case numbers even as others experience rapid growth.
Efforts Persist Across Multiple Affected Zones
The coordinated response involves national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and numerous partner organizations collaborating with frontline healthcare teams. Challenges such as insecurity and population displacement complicate access to certain regions, hindering surveillance, contact tracing, and timely medical intervention. Mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites pose operational difficulties due to limited health infrastructure and sanitation. Despite these obstacles, response teams continue their work in both urban and remote areas.
Recent data indicates progress in some locations, with South Kivu remaining free of new cases for months and Ituri showing decreased transmission from high levels. Meanwhile, North Kivu continues to see a notable rise in weekly infections. Authorities are monitoring each affected area separately, as the epidemic manifests differently across the country. More than 3,500 confirmed deaths highlight the ongoing severity of this outbreak.