Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC remains active as cases plateau and spread across provinces
The World Health Organization says the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo is still far from over, noting a recent decline in overall case numbers but continued transmission in several provinces. Official figures show 7,258 confirmed infections, 3,510 deaths and 1,726 recoveries across 62 health zones, with 905 patients currently isolated or hospitalized. Health officials report that transmission is decreasing in Ituri and that South Kivu has not recorded new infections since May, while the virus continues to circulate in Ituri, North Kivu and Haut‑Uele. The UN special Ebola coordinator warned that, despite pockets of improvement, the outbreak remains massive and lethal, and WHO highlighted ongoing efforts to accelerate clinical trials and post‑exposure prophylaxis development.
How this was covered
- Reported deaths range from 2,911 to 6,000 across outlets
- Centrist coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The outbreak threatens public health in the DRC and tests the capacity of international responders to contain a deadly disease.
How this story developed
- Aug 23 Ebola toll in DRC climbs to over 5,500 cases as Pope calls for global aid
- Aug 31 The epidemic has spread to the Biena and Manguredjipa health zones, increasing the total number of affected zones to 60.
- Sep 1 More than 50,000 vaccine doses arrived for frontline workers.
- Sep 2 Confirmed cases rise to 6,186 and deaths increase to 3,007.
- Sep 13 A case confirmed in South‑Ubangi marked the virus’s spread to a seventh province.
- Sep 17 Confirmed cases have risen to over 7,200 and deaths to more than 3,500 since the outbreak was first declared.
