Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reported a total of 1,003 confirmed cases of Ebola, including 254 deaths—a mortality rate of 25.3%. The figures, released by the National Institute of Public Health (Institut National de Santé Publique, INSP), reflect a sharp increase in detected cases since the outbreak’s early stages.
The vast majority of infections and fatalities have been concentrated in Ituri province, where 91.3% of cases and 80.7% of deaths have occurred. This remote region in northeastern DRC has long struggled with armed group violence, which continues to hinder public health efforts.
While testing capacity has improved significantly since the epidemic began, international aid groups and NGOs operating in the area warn that the true scale of the outbreak is likely far greater than official numbers suggest. The virus has now spread beyond Ituri to two neighboring provinces—North Kivu and South Kivu—affecting a combined population of 15 million people. Neighboring Uganda has also reported 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths.
Health response struggles amid logistical and social challenges
The DRC’s battle against Ebola, particularly the Bundibugyo virus strain—one for which no vaccine or treatment currently exists—has faced severe obstacles. Existing vaccines only target the Zaire strain, the deadliest variant responsible for previous outbreaks. At the start of the epidemic, local hospitals were overwhelmed, and even after emergency treatment centers were established with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and humanitarian teams, occupancy rates remain dangerously high at over 80%, according to INSP data.
Healthcare facilities, already under-resourced in one of the world’s poorest nations, continue to face critical shortages of protective gear and chlorine over a month after the outbreak was declared. The situation has worsened with 78 healthcare workers infected and 18 fatalities recorded so far.
Compounding these challenges is a deep-seated mistrust within affected communities. Many families refuse post-mortem testing, leading to underreporting of cases. Recent weeks have seen violent clashes in hospitals, as grieving relatives demand the bodies of loved ones who succumbed to the disease. These tensions have further complicated containment efforts.
Experts warn that the epidemic has not yet peaked and could persist for six to twelve months. The delayed declaration of the outbreak—nearly two months after initial deaths were reported around March 20—allowed the virus to spread unchecked, making control increasingly difficult.
