GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – As of September 13, the World Health Organization has indicated that Ebola transmission is decreasing in several of the hardest-hit regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The most notable improvements are seen in parts of Ituri province, which remains the primary epicenter of the outbreak. Nevertheless, the epidemic continues to spread in other areas. Official reports show that by Sept. 13, there were 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces, with the national case fatality ratio standing at 48.4%.
South Kivu has not recorded any new cases since May, and the number of patients recovering nationwide is on the rise. According to official figures, 1,726 people had recovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Sept. 13. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the latest trends as encouraging signs following months of rapid transmission. He emphasized, however, that the epidemic continues to grow and cause fatalities. The outbreak now affects 62 health zones, revealing significant disparities between the affected provinces.
Despite recent declines in transmission, Ituri remains the outbreak’s main focus. During the latest weekly period, health officials reported approximately 300 new cases and 160 deaths in the region. These figures accounted for nearly half of the country’s total cases during that time. Conversely, North Kivu is experiencing an upward trend, with weekly infections nearly doubling over two weeks—from around 100 cases to over 200—as health teams monitor expanding transmission.
Increase in North Kivu cases as Ituri sees transmission decline
The current outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola that has spread across a broad geographic area since May. Ituri accounts for the majority of cumulative cases, while North Kivu has become the second most affected province. Haut-Uélé continues to report ongoing transmission. Recently, the outbreak extended to Sud-Ubangi, raising the number of impacted provinces to seven. This expansion follows months of new cases emerging across the northeastern and central regions of the country.
Efforts to combat the outbreak include clinical trials of treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis, which have increased as community participation improves. The overall response encompasses surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and clinical management. Health officials remain vigilant in tracking infection patterns, recognizing that transmission varies greatly between provinces and zones. The uneven spread means that while some areas experience declining case numbers, others face rapid increases.
Continued efforts in affected regions
The ongoing response involves national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and numerous partner organizations working alongside frontline healthcare teams. Security challenges and population displacement complicate access in several affected zones, often hindering surveillance, contact tracing, and timely healthcare delivery. Mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites present additional operational hurdles, given their limited healthcare infrastructure, sanitation, and services. Despite these obstacles, response teams maintain operations across both urban centers and remote areas.
Current data highlight progress in some locations, such as South Kivu, which has remained free of new cases for months, and Ituri, where transmission has decreased from previously high levels. However, North Kivu continues to see a significant rise in weekly infections. Authorities are monitoring each affected zone separately, given the distinct patterns of the epidemic across the country. The total number of confirmed deaths exceeding 3,500 underscores the persistent severity of the outbreak.