Kinshasa, July 2: The Ebola outbreak in Congo continues to escalate, with over 1,400 confirmed cases reported and 438 deaths, according to government sources.
As per official statistics, the total number of confirmed Ebola cases has risen to 1,406. So far, 192 patients have recovered, while 609 others are currently receiving treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this outbreak a “Public Health Emergency.”
The infection is primarily spreading in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, where monitoring, medical care, and preventive measures are ongoing.
The government has enhanced its response capacity through the deployment of vehicles and ambulances, supply of medications and personal protective equipment (PPE), public awareness campaigns, and community engagement efforts.
Congo announced the outbreak in mid-May. According to reports from the Xinhua news agency, health officials and international partners have repeatedly warned that insecurity, population movement, pressure on health facilities, and negligence in identifying contacts are complicating efforts to control the disease.
Ebola is a rare, severe, and often fatal disease. The virus spreads from wild animals to humans and through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals. Symptoms include sudden flu-like signs and fever, which can lead to organ failure.
Symptoms typically appear 2 to 21 days after exposure and include sudden fever, fatigue, muscle pain, severe headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, unexplained bleeding or rashes.
The Ebola outbreak was confirmed in May 2026 in both Congo and Uganda, involving the “Bundibugyo” strain of the virus, which currently has no vaccine or specific treatment. However, trials for potential vaccines and treatments are ongoing.
This outbreak has emerged during a time when the region faces severe challenges, including humanitarian crises, remote and densely populated areas, insecurity, and increased movement of people and commercial activities.
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