Ebola cases surge sharply in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Monday 27 July 2026 - 10:40

By: Azzat Manal

Ebola cases surge sharply in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a significant increase in Ebola cases, with nearly 1,000 new infections reported over a 10-day period, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 3,075, including 1,354 deaths.

Health authorities announced the latest figures on Sunday, reporting a sharp rise from the more than 2,000 cases recorded on July 15. The infections have been identified across five provinces, while officials said improvements in disease detection and laboratory confirmation have provided a clearer picture of the outbreak's scale.

According to the World Health Organization, the main epicenter of the outbreak is in Ituri province in northeastern DRC, near the borders with South Sudan and Uganda. The province accounts for approximately 90 percent of the reported cases.

The health crisis has been further complicated by labor disputes in the region, with several hospitals in Ituri experiencing strikes by healthcare workers demanding the payment of outstanding salaries.

The current outbreak, the country's 17th recorded Ebola epidemic, was officially declared on May 15. The outbreak is reportedly linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment is currently available.

Meanwhile, health experts and international organizations are working to develop new vaccines and treatments. An experimental vaccine developed by the University of Oxford was reportedly administered to its first volunteer on Friday, while preparations are underway for clinical trials involving other vaccine candidates. Researchers are also developing two additional treatments.

Ebola spreads primarily through direct contact with an infected person or exposure to contaminated bodily fluids. The disease can cause severe hemorrhagic fever and has claimed more than 15,000 lives across Africa over the past five decades.

The DRC has experienced repeated Ebola outbreaks, with the epidemic between 2018 and 2020 remaining the deadliest in the country's history. That outbreak resulted in approximately 2,300 deaths among around 3,500 reported cases.

The latest surge in infections is placing additional pressure on the country's already strained healthcare system. International health agencies and local authorities continue to strengthen surveillance, improve diagnosis and expand efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

The rapid increase in reported cases highlights the continuing public health challenge posed by Ebola in the DRC and the importance of early detection, effective infection control and international cooperation in responding to the outbreak.