Why it matters
- As of 30 July, reports indicate a total of 3,605 confirmed cases, including 1,587 deaths, since the outbreak was first declared on 15 May 2026, according to latest updates from the World Health Organization (WHO)
- The highest number of reported cases (567) and deaths (296) were recorded in the most recent week’s data
- The outbreak has impacted five provinces and 49 health zones
- Transmission is active in 33 of these zones, with confirmed cases still being reported
- Ituri remains the most impacted province, accounting for 88 per cent of all confirmed cases and 82.6 per cent of reported deaths nationwide
- UN-partner the International Medical Corps (IMC) is opening a DRC’s largest treatment centre this week, complementing the existing capacity of the authorities and partners of 900 beds over the five provinces.
- WHO continues to warn that a substantial scaling-up of response activities is needed
“Ebola is moving fast, hitting people already facing conflict and hunger,” said Carl Skau, acting chief of the World Food Programme (WFP) following a weekend visit to eastern DRC. “Communities are key to ending it, but need support.”
The UN World Health Organization reports that the current outbreak is now the largest recorded Ebola virus disease outbreak in the country, surpassing the 2018 to 2020 outbreak which resulted in 3,317 confirmed cases.
During the most recent complete reporting week, the highest weekly number of reported cases (567) and deaths (296) to date were recorded, underscoring the exceptional pace of transmission.
Inside the red zone
Patients with confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo virus receive care within a treatment centre’s “red zone”, as distinct from the “green zone” which is accessible to the public. The DRC Government, UN agencies and partners are scaling up the response.
With support from the United States, the NGO International Medical Corps (IMC), has set up an Ebola transit centre at the Kigonze displacement camp on the outskirts of Bunia, capital of Ituri.
The facility will make it easier to identify suspected cases more quickly and refer confirmed Ebola patients to treatment centres. This will help contain the spread of the virus in the displacement site, an OCHA spokesperson said.
This week, IMC will also inaugurate the biggest treatment centre of the country, with 100 beds. Overall capacity for the Ebola response is approximately 900 beds.
Need for rapid action
However, a substantial scaling up of response activities is needed to get ahead of the outbreak, which has seen increasing number of cases, expanding geographic spread and high mortality, WHO has warned.
“The convergence of insecurity, population displacement and mobility and cross-border movements complicate response operations and increase the risk of further geographical spread,” the UN agency said, noting that around 270,000 people who have fled violence now live in displacement sites across Ituri province, where conditions are ideal for the disease to spread.
Meanwhile, aid teams are finding that the disease appears to be causing still births and premature deliveries, underscoring the need to provide additional care for patients who are pregnant.
Learn more about the UN Ebola response here.
- UN News Service
- UN News Service
- UN News Service
- UN News Service
