GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization reports that Ebola transmission appears to be decreasing in some severely impacted areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The most notable improvements are seen in parts of Ituri province, which remains the epicenter of the outbreak. Nonetheless, the epidemic continues to spread in other regions. Official data up to Sept. 13 indicates there have been 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces, with a national case fatality ratio of 48.4%.
Since May, South Kivu has not reported any new cases, while recovery numbers are rising across the country. The official statistics show 1,726 recoveries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Sept. 13. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that recent trends are promising after months characterized by rapid transmission. He also pointed out that the epidemic persists, causing fatalities. Currently, the outbreak affects 62 health zones, revealing significant disparities between impacted provinces.
Despite a recent decrease in transmission, Ituri remains the core of the outbreak. 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 cases for that period. Conversely, North Kivu is experiencing an upward trend, with weekly infections almost doubling over two weeks—from about 100 cases to over 200—as health teams monitor the expanding transmission.
Rising Cases in North Kivu as Ituri Sees Transmission Drop
The ongoing epidemic involves Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola that has spread over a broad geographic region since May. Ituri remains responsible for most cumulative cases, with North Kivu now ranking as the second most affected province. Haut-Uélé also continues to report transmission. Recently, the outbreak reached Sud-Ubangi, increasing the number of impacted provinces to seven. This expansion followed months during which health authorities detected new cases across northeastern and central regions of the country.
Part of the response includes clinical research, with health teams working within affected communities. Trials involving treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis have expanded as community participation improves. The overall response encompasses surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and clinical management. Officials continue to observe infection patterns because transmission differs significantly between provinces and health zones. This uneven situation means that a decline in cases in one area may occur alongside rapid growth elsewhere.
Continued Multi-Agency Efforts in Affected Zones
The ongoing efforts involve national health authorities, WHO, Africa CDC, and numerous partner organizations collaborating with frontline medical teams. Challenges such as insecurity and population displacement complicate access in various affected regions, often limiting surveillance, contact tracing, and timely medical care. Mining communities, informal settlements, and displacement sites pose operational hurdles as many have limited healthcare services, sanitation, and infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, response teams maintain operations across urban centers and remote locations.
The latest data indicates progress in several regions; however, heavy transmission persists across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. South Kivu remains free of new cases for months, while Ituri shows decreased transmission from previously high levels. Meanwhile, North Kivu continues to experience a sharp rise in weekly infections. Authorities are tracking each affected area independently because the epidemic’s patterns differ countrywide. The more than 3,500 confirmed deaths underline the ongoing severity of the outbreak.