The Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed 782 Ebola cases, including 181 deaths, as the country’s worst outbreak in years continue to spread into new areas. The development is raising money concerns among health authorities struggling to contain the disease.
Government data released on Sunday showed 72 new confirmed infections were recorded within 24 hours, one of the largest daily increases since the outbreak was declared in May. The figures underscore the rapid pace of transmission in eastern Congo, where conflict, population displacement and limited healthcare infrastructure have complicated response efforts.
The latest situation report showed Ebola cases had been confirmed for the first time in the Nia-Nia health zone in Ituri Province and the Mabalako health zone in North Kivu Province, expanding the geographic footprint of the outbreak. The disease remains concentrated in eastern Congo’s provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
Ituri remains the epicenter of the crisis, accounting for the overwhelming majority of infections. Health officials say the province’s insecurity, large displaced populations and extensive cross-border movements have made surveillance and contact tracing particularly difficult.
The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a rare variant for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Health authorities have relied on isolation, testing, contact tracing and supportive care to contain transmission while researchers work to evaluate potential vaccines and therapies.
International health agencies have warned that the true scale of the outbreak may be larger than official figures suggest. The World Health Organization has cited surveillance “blind spots” in several high-risk areas where insecurity and limited access have hampered monitoring efforts.
Containment efforts have also been complicated by public distrust of health authorities, attacks on healthcare workers and shortages of medical supplies. In some communities, misinformation and resistance to public health measures have slowed efforts to identify and isolate infected individuals.
The outbreak has already spread beyond Congo’s borders into neighboring Uganda, prompting regional health authorities to intensify border screening and surveillance measures. The World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have launched a continent-wide response plan aimed at preventing further international spread.
Congo has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks over the past decade, but health experts warn that the current epidemic could become one of the country’s most serious if transmission continues to accelerate. With cases now reported across dozens of health zones and daily infections still rising, authorities face mounting pressure to strengthen surveillance, improve community engagement and secure additional international funding to bring the outbreak under control.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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