Kinshasa, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 5,500 confirmed cases, with more than 2,600 deaths, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that the epidemic has reached a “defining moment” more than 100 days after it was declared.
According to the latest government figures, covering data through Saturday, the country has recorded 5,514 confirmed cases and 2,642 deaths. The case fatality rate stands at 47.9 per cent, while 1,200 patients have recovered.
The outbreak has spread across 57 health zones in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele and Tshopo.
The WHO described the outbreak as the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic ever recorded in the DRC and said transmission was continuing to outpace containment efforts.
“This outbreak has reached a defining moment,” WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi said. “The choices we make now will determine how quickly we can bring this outbreak under control, protect and save lives.”
Ituri remains the epicentre, accounting for about 85 per cent of reported cases and 79 per cent of deaths, according to the WHO.
The organisation said deaths occurring outside Ebola treatment centres remain a serious concern. Community deaths have accounted for about 60 per cent of fatalities recorded in recent weeks, highlighting continuing gaps in early detection, referral and access to treatment.
Response efforts are also being affected by insecurity, recurring conflict, population displacement, attacks on health facilities, community reluctance and difficult access, particularly in eastern parts of the country.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak could be brought under control, but only through intensified action in affected communities, sustained resources and stronger coordination between national and local authorities, communities and international partners.
Despite the challenges, response capacity has expanded considerably. The number of laboratories able to test for Ebola has increased from one to 19, with the capacity to process more than 3,000 samples daily. Treatment capacity has also grown from fewer than 10 beds to more than 1,300, the WHO said.
Clinical trials of potential treatments and evaluations of candidate vaccines are underway. The WHO has also reported deployment of the first emergency-listed molecular diagnostic test for Bundibugyo virus disease.
The agency warned that the coming months will be crucial to closing remaining gaps and reducing transmission, while stressing that an end to fighting in affected areas is essential for health teams to safely reach communities.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, was declared by DRC authorities in May.
FOLLOW NOW
