GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – According to the World Health Organization, Ebola transmission is decreasing in several of the most affected regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This positive trend is especially noticeable in parts of Ituri province, which remains the epicenter of the outbreak. Nevertheless, the epidemic continues to spread in other areas. Data up to Sept. 13 indicates a total of 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 fatalities across seven provinces, with the overall case fatality ratio at 48.4%.
Since May, South Kivu has not reported any new cases, and more patients are recovering across the country. Official statistics as of Sept. 13 reveal 1,726 recoveries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the recent trends as encouraging following months of rapid transmission. He emphasized, however, that the outbreak still causes deaths and continues to expand. Currently, 62 health zones are affected, illustrating significant disparities between the provinces impacted.
Despite a recent decline in transmission, Ituri remains the outbreak’s primary hotspot. During the latest weekly period, health officials reported approximately 300 new cases and 160 deaths there. These figures accounted for nearly half of the country’s total for that period. In contrast, North Kivu exhibits a rising trend, with weekly cases almost doubling over two weeks—from around 100 cases to over 200—as health teams monitor the growing spread.
North Kivu experiences case increase while Ituri sees transmission decline
The epidemic is driven by Bundibugyo virus disease, a variant of Ebola that has dispersed widely since May. Ituri has the highest cumulative case count, making it the most affected province overall. North Kivu ranks second in terms of impact, with Haut-Uélé also continuing to report cases. The outbreak has recently extended to Sud-Ubangi, raising the number of affected provinces to seven. This expansion followed months of documented new cases across northeastern and central regions of the country.
Efforts to combat the outbreak include clinical research, with health teams conducting trials on treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis as community participation improves. The response encompasses surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and clinical care. Officials continuously observe infection trends because transmission varies significantly between provinces and health zones. This uneven landscape means that while some areas see a decline in cases, others can experience rapid increases concurrently.
Ongoing response efforts in affected health zones
The coordinated response involves national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and numerous partner organizations working alongside frontline medical teams. Security issues and population movements continue to pose challenges for access in several affected areas, complicating surveillance, contact tracing, and timely medical interventions. Displacement sites, informal settlements, and mining communities further hinder operational efforts due to limited health services, sanitation, and infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, response teams maintain operations across both urban centers and remote locations.
Recent data shows clear progress in some regions, yet significant transmission persists throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. South Kivu has remained free of new cases for months, and Ituri reports lower transmission levels than before. Meanwhile, North Kivu continues to see a sharp rise in weekly infections. Because the epidemic displays different patterns in each area, health authorities monitor each location separately. The outbreak has resulted in more than 3,500 confirmed deaths, underlining the ongoing severity of the crisis.