1,759 Ebola Cases Confirmed in Democratic Republic of the Congo as Outbreak Outpaces Response
The Democratic Republic of the Congo outbreak has reached 1,759 confirmed cases and 600 deaths as of early July 2026, with Africa CDC describing it as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record and warning that infections are outpacing the response.
Rapid Rise in Cases and Deaths
Confirmed cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo rose by 353 in one week to reach 1,759, with a 34 percent case fatality rate. [1] The outbreak has claimed 600 lives, and the World Health Organization figures show this represents a case fatality rate of 34 percent. [2] Africa CDC head of emergency preparedness and response Wessam Mankoula stated that the current epidemic is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak recorded during its first six weeks. [1] He noted that the deadliest Ebola outbreak in 2013-16 in West Africa had 994 cases in the first six weeks, compared to 1,596 in the current one. [2] Mankoula described the virus as still ahead of the response and moving faster than resources can be deployed to control the situation. [2] The number of cases is estimated to be doubling every 28 days. [2]
Challenges Facing the Response
Ebola treatment centres remain under severe pressure, with bed occupancy reaching 95 percent across affected facilities. [1] Contact tracing remains inadequate, with only seven contacts identified for every confirmed case, well below the recommended target. [1] Among healthcare workers, 112 infections have been recorded, while 35 frontline workers have died during the response. [1] The effective reproduction number is estimated at 1.4, meaning every 10 infected individuals are expected to transmit the virus to approximately 14 others. [1] Insecurity in North Kivu continues to hamper response activities, contributing to high fatality rates and limiting access for emergency response teams. [1] Population movements, persistent insecurity, and the fragility of the health system continue to complicate efforts to bring the outbreak under control. [2] More than 10,000 contacts of infected people are being monitored, at a follow-up rate of 82 percent, though the World Health Organization believes a rate of 95 percent is needed. [2]
Progress in Laboratory and Treatment Efforts
Laboratory capacity has improved significantly, with health authorities now able to conduct more than 2,000 Ebola tests daily across affected areas. [1] The trial of two potential treatments for Bundibugyo began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on July 2, evaluating the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, alone and in combination. [2] The continental Incident Management Support Team is now operational in Uganda, coordinating the Ebola response with support from partners across Africa. [1] The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda have made progress in implementing a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cross-border Ebola surveillance and response. [1] Laboratory capacity has increased from 30 tests per day in the capital Kinshasa to more than 2,000 in decentralised labs in the affected provinces. [2]
Uganda's Containment Success
Uganda has recorded 20 Ebola cases, most linked to imported infections, but authorities quickly contained transmission. [1] The country currently has only one patient receiving treatment after recording two deaths and 17 recoveries. [1] Uganda has achieved complete contact tracing for all identified contacts, helping to interrupt further transmission. [1] Mankoula described Uganda’s response as encouraging, stating that the country had demonstrated that Ebola could be contained through strong surveillance and rapid action. [1] The country’s experience demonstrates that early detection, prompt isolation, and effective contact tracing remain critical to controlling Ebola outbreaks. [1]
Calls for Increased Resources and Access
Mankoula called for a 50 percent increase in treatment bed capacity, faster case detection, stronger community engagement, and sustained funding to strengthen the Ebola response. [1] He announced the deployment of additional experts and 4,000 community health workers. [1] US$1.4 billion is needed in total for the disease and humanitarian response. [2] All parties must facilitate safe and sustained access for humanitarian and health workers, supplies and response equipment, and borders and supply routes must remain open. [3] Donors must ensure that pledged funding reaches responders quickly and flexibly. [3] The Inter-Agency Standing Committee has activated a System-Wide Scale-Up to control the disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [3]
Spread to New Provinces
The outbreak has affected 37 health zones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 94 percent of confirmed cases reported in Ituri Province. [1] The outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has hit four provinces but is focused on Ituri province. [2] Suspected cases have now been recorded in Kisangani in Tshopo province and in Haut-Uele, signalling the continued spread of the disease beyond the epicentre in Ituri. [4] The Congolese government's latest report said two new cases were suspected in Kisangani in the Tshopo province, where cases had not been previously recorded. [5] One of the two suspected cases was linked to the Nia-Nia health zone in Ituri province, while the other case has no apparent geographical connection to known outbreaks. [5]
What to watch next: Clinical trials of two therapeutics continue while authorities seek faster case detection and a 50 percent increase in treatment beds amid ongoing expansion across provinces.
