The World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak, first detected in Ituri Province, has spread over the past two months into five provinces—Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé and Tshopo—and now affects 49 health zones. Continued transmission, combined with armed conflict, population displacement and frequent cross-border movement, is complicating containment efforts and increasing the risk of regional spread.

As of July 30, 2026, health authorities had confirmed 3,605 cases and 1,587 deaths, representing a crude case fatality ratio of about 44%. During epidemiological week 30 alone, officials recorded 567 new confirmed cases and 296 deaths, the highest weekly totals since the outbreak began.

Outbreak Sets New National Record

According to WHO, the current epidemic has surpassed the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s previous largest Ebola outbreak, which occurred between 2018 and 2020 and recorded 3,317 confirmed cases.

Across all affected countries, 3,626 confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease cases have now been reported.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounts for 3,605 confirmed cases, including two patients later treated in Germany. Uganda reported 20 confirmed cases, while France recorded one imported infection involving a healthcare worker deployed to support the response.

A total of 1,589 deaths have been reported across all affected countries, including two in Uganda.

Health authorities have also recorded 654 recoveries, including 651 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 18 in Uganda, two in Germany and one in France.

Ituri Province Remains the Epicenter

WHO said Ituri Province continues to bear the overwhelming burden of the outbreak.

The province has recorded 3,176 confirmed cases, accounting for approximately 88% of all infections, and 1,311 deaths, representing about 83% of reported fatalities.

Among the most affected health zones are:

• Bunia
• Rwampara
• Mongbwalu
• Nizi
• Lita
• Nyankunde

Of the 49 affected health zones, 33 continued reporting confirmed infections during the previous seven days.

During that period, authorities documented 641 confirmed cases and 282 deaths, indicating sustained community transmission.

Health Workers Continue to Face Elevated Risks

Healthcare workers remain among those infected during the outbreak.

As of July 30, WHO reported:

• 151 confirmed infections among healthcare workers
• 44 deaths
• 68 recoveries

WHO said the figures highlight continuing challenges in infection prevention and control within healthcare facilities as well as ongoing exposure risks in surrounding communities.

Public health authorities have identified 17,863 contacts for monitoring, with 13,455 remaining under active follow-up.

Conflict and Displacement Hamper Containment

WHO said the outbreak is unfolding amid armed conflict, population displacement and limited access to healthcare, clean water and other essential services.

Attacks on healthcare facilities and insecurity have disrupted surveillance activities, restricted the movement of response teams and increased the likelihood of undetected transmission.

The agency said community-led response efforts supported by local leaders remain essential to improving outbreak control.

Response Efforts Continue

WHO said Congolese health authorities and international partners continue implementing a broad response that includes:

• Emergency coordination
• Disease surveillance
• Laboratory testing
• Infection prevention and control
• Clinical care
• Community engagement
• Logistics support
• Operational research
• Maintenance of essential health services

The response also forms part of a six-month regional preparedness framework designed to strengthen coordination across affected and neighboring countries.

WHO said further expansion of response activities will be necessary to outpace the epidemic.

Regional Preparedness Remains High

Outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo, neighboring countries continue strengthening surveillance and preparedness.

France confirmed that its imported Bundibugyo virus disease patient recovered and was discharged on July 4 after two consecutive negative PCR tests. Health authorities reported no secondary transmission.

Uganda officially declared its outbreak over on July 28 after completing 42 consecutive days without a locally transmitted confirmed case.

Despite that milestone, WHO warned Uganda remains vulnerable to additional imported infections while transmission continues in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

WHO Maintains Very High Risk Assessment

WHO continues to classify the outbreak risk within the Democratic Republic of the Congo as very high because of sustained transmission and the expanding geographic footprint of the epidemic.

The agency rates the risk for Uganda as high, citing ongoing cross-border epidemiological links and previous Ebola activity along the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo-western Uganda corridor.

Countries bordering affected areas are also considered at high risk because of trade, mining-related population movement and varying levels of preparedness.

WHO continues to assess the overall risk for the rest of Africa and globally as low.

An updated rapid risk assessment is expected before the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee meets on Aug. 18.

WHO Advises Against Travel Restrictions

Despite the scale of the outbreak, WHO continues to advise against travel or trade restrictions affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Instead, the agency continues to emphasize:

• Early case detection
• Rapid laboratory confirmation
• Patient isolation
• Supportive clinical care
• Contact tracing
• Safe and dignified burials
• Community engagement
• Cross-border coordination

WHO noted that Bundibugyo virus disease is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the Ebola virus species, with fruit bats believed to be the natural reservoir. Human infections are thought to begin through contact with infected wildlife before spreading through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials.

The agency also said there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease, although several vaccine and therapeutic candidates remain under scientific evaluation.

This report is based on reporting by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The post DR Congos Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Becomes Countries Largest as Cases Surge Across Five Provinces appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Government data show the outbreak has reached 3,802 confirmed cases and 1,707 deaths since it was declared on May 15, making it one of the deadliest Ebola epidemics ever recorded in the country.

Officials from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said the outbreak remains unpredictable, with no clear indication of when infections will reach their peak.

Community Transmission Continues to Rise

Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya, speaking during a visit to Bunia in Ituri province, said the outbreak has entered a more dangerous phase as community transmission increasingly replaces identifiable chains of infection.

According to Kaseya, between 60% and 70% of newly confirmed cases are now being detected through community spread rather than through contact tracing.

“Contact tracing is not working,” Kaseya said. “We don’t like the trajectory of this outbreak, and it’s already the second largest outbreak in the world.”

World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is expected to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo later this week as international agencies expand support for the response.

Conflict and Limited Medical Options Hamper Response

Health officials say efforts to contain the outbreak continue to face significant obstacles.

The epidemic involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or licensed treatments.

Africa CDC said insecurity, armed conflict, delayed contact tracing, limited access to remote communities, misinformation and attacks on health facilities have all slowed containment efforts.

Researchers have launched clinical trials in Ituri province to evaluate post-exposure treatments, while experimental vaccine studies are continuing in the United Kingdom and Canada.

Nearly 90% of all confirmed infections have occurred in Ituri province, although cases have also been detected in five other provinces, including the city of Kisangani.

Neighboring Uganda officially declared its own Ebola outbreak over after its final patient recovered.

Thousands of Contacts Remain Under Surveillance

Investigators have yet to determine how the outbreak began, complicating efforts to interrupt transmission.

Population displacement caused by armed conflict and illegal mining has made identifying exposed individuals especially difficult.

The World Health Organization said more than 17,000 people who may have been exposed to Ebola are currently being monitored, with nearly 80% receiving daily follow-up.

WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Mohamed Janabi said laboratory testing capacity has expanded significantly, increasing from about 20 tests per day early in the outbreak to more than 2,000 daily samples.

Health Workers Face Growing Pressure

The Ebola response is also being strained by labor disputes and shortages of frontline personnel.

Healthcare workers in Mongbwalu warned they would intensify protests unless overdue wages are paid, following similar strikes by medical staff in Bunia over unpaid salaries and unsafe working conditions.

The WHO said more than 100 healthcare workers have contracted Ebola since the outbreak began.

Officials also continue to cite funding shortages, attacks on health facilities and ongoing violence in eastern Congo as major obstacles to bringing the epidemic under control.

Meanwhile, researchers have begun enrolling patients in a closely watched clinical trial evaluating two experimental Ebola treatments as health authorities seek new tools to slow one of the country’s most severe outbreaks.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

The post Ebola Deaths Surpass 1,700 in Eastern Congo as Outbreak Outpaces Containment Efforts appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The outbreak, declared on May 15 in Ituri Province, has disrupted maternal healthcare services across affected communities. Health workers say many women are delaying prenatal care or choosing to give birth at home, increasing the risk of complications that could otherwise be treated.

Fear and Misinformation Keep Women Away From Clinics

Health officials say misinformation surrounding Ebola has discouraged many expectant mothers from seeking routine medical care.

Some women fear they will be placed in Ebola isolation if they develop common pregnancy-related symptoms such as fever, while others doubt official information about the outbreak.

Esther Lutula, a 26-year-old resident of Bunia, said she stopped attending prenatal appointments after authorities declared the outbreak. She said she plans to return only after the disease is no longer spreading.

Noemi Dalmonte, deputy country representative for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Congo, said fear of healthcare facilities often increases during disease outbreaks, but misinformation about Ebola has made the situation significantly worse.

Another Bunia resident, Elodie Yabiri, who is heavily pregnant, said she has stayed away from hospitals because she believes anyone who feels sick is immediately placed in isolation. She said she intends to remain at home as long as she continues feeling her baby move.

Maternal Deaths Rise as Healthcare Access Declines

UNFPA data show maternal deaths in Ituri have nearly doubled since the outbreak began.

Weekly maternal deaths increased from an average of 3.1 before the outbreak to 5.8 between May 25 and July 19.

Deaths occurring outside healthcare facilities also rose from 9.1% to 17.4% during the same period.

Medical staff say those figures reflect a growing reluctance among pregnant women to seek professional care even when complications develop.

Ebola Response Stretches Healthcare System

The outbreak has placed additional strain on an already fragile healthcare system.

Health facilities across the affected provinces have redirected staff and medical supplies to Ebola treatment, leaving fewer resources available for routine maternal care.

Authorities say more than 1,600 people have died during what they describe as the country’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak.

The response has also been hampered by attacks on healthcare facilities and workforce shortages. Officials say at least 44 infected healthcare workers have died, while others have stopped working because of unpaid salaries.

Dr. Ghislain Maneba, an epidemiologist in Ituri’s Rwampara health zone, said medical teams continue educating communities despite limited resources and difficult working conditions.

At the Bénédicte Clinic in Bunia, monthly prenatal registrations have dropped from about 60 women to roughly 10 since the outbreak began, according to medical director Dr. Sonny Mwembo.

Congo Already Faces High Maternal Mortality

The Democratic Republic of the Congo already has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates.

United Nations data show nearly 19,000 women died from pregnancy-related complications in the country during 2023, placing Congo second only to Nigeria worldwide and tied with India.

Women in Congo also have an average of nearly six children, increasing the demand for maternal healthcare services.

Pregnant Women Face Greater Health Risks

Health experts warn that Ebola presents additional dangers during pregnancy.

The disease spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and contaminated materials. Women often face greater exposure because many serve as caregivers for sick relatives or work in healthcare settings.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says pregnant women infected with Ebola face a higher risk of severe complications, including miscarriage.

Dalmonte said improving public awareness is critical to restoring confidence in healthcare services.

She warned that women who delay treatment may die not only from Ebola but also from pregnancy complications that could have been prevented with timely medical care.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

The post Ebola Outbreak Drives Rise in Maternal Deaths as Pregnant Women Avoid Hospitals in Eastern Congo appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The latest figures show 3,442 confirmed cases and 1,521 deaths as of Tuesday. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said part of the increase reflects a backlog of cases and deaths that had not previously been confirmed or recorded. Officials stressed, however, that the outbreak remains a severe public health emergency.

Insecurity Hampers Response Efforts

The outbreak, declared on May 15, has been linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.

According to Africa CDC, response efforts have been hindered by delayed contact tracing, limited access to affected communities, public mistrust and ongoing violence involving armed groups and some local populations.

Nearly 90% of confirmed infections have been reported in the eastern province of Ituri, although cases have also been identified in five provinces, including the city of Kisangani.

While neighboring Uganda declared its Ebola outbreak over on Tuesday after its last patient was discharged in mid-June, health authorities continue to classify the risk of transmission within the Democratic Republic of the Congo as extremely high.

Community Transmission Drives Rising Death Toll

Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya said 63% of confirmed Ebola deaths recorded during the past two weeks occurred outside treatment centers.

He said unsafe handling of infected bodies remains a major driver of transmission, as traditional burial practices involving direct physical contact continue in some communities.

Health officials also said restrictions on burial practices, combined with misinformation denying the existence of Ebola, have fueled community resistance and contributed to attacks on health facilities.

In the Nyakunde health zone of Ituri Province, international organizations temporarily relocated staff after a July 15 attack on a hospital and an Ebola treatment center following the death of a patient.

Officials said the withdrawal of partners, including Africa CDC and Mercy Corps, disrupted surveillance, contact tracing and the delivery of medical supplies.

Dr. Désiré Duabo, chief medical officer for the Nyakunde health zone, warned that stocks of essential medical supplies were nearly exhausted because international organizations had been providing much of the equipment, logistics and operational support.

Pierre Akilimali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola response incident manager at the National Public Health Institute, said attacks on health facilities have increased risks faced by frontline medical workers.

“They are working amidst risks of infection as well as risks to their personal safety,” Akilimali said.

Local authorities said security conditions have improved and urged international partners to resume operations.

Africa CDC said response teams could redeploy to the area as early as next week.

WHO Assesses Global Risk as Low

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the global risk posed by the outbreak remains low because Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids rather than through the air.

The agency said cases detected outside the affected region have been rapidly identified and contained without resulting in sustained transmission.

Within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, however, WHO continues to assess the risk of further spread as “very high.”

Health officials also noted that the current outbreak reached 1,500 deaths more quickly than any previous Ebola epidemic.

During the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which infected about 28,000 people and killed more than 11,000, it took approximately eight months for the death toll to exceed 1,000.

The latest figures underscore the growing challenge facing health authorities as they work to contain an outbreak complicated by insecurity, misinformation and limited access to affected communities.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

The post Congo Ebola Death Toll Surpasses 1,500 as Outbreak Outpaces Response Efforts appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

According to the World Health Organization, 321 confirmed Ebola cases and 48 deaths had been recorded across the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu as of Tuesday. Neighboring Uganda has also reported infections linked to the outbreak, underscoring the regional implications of the health crisis.

Food Assistance Becomes a Critical Lifeline

At the Evangelical Medical Center in Bunia, the center of the outbreak, volunteers working with the United Nations World Food Programme prepare daily meals for patients receiving treatment and for health workers responding to the epidemic. The effort includes providing locally familiar foods such as porridge, bread, fish, fruit and traditional dishes designed to meet nutritional needs during treatment.

Humanitarian workers told The Associated Press that adequate nutrition has become an important component of patient care. More than 400 meals have been distributed since the food assistance operation began, helping sustain both patients and frontline medical personnel.

The food program comes as aid agencies face growing financial pressure. The World Food Programme has warned that funding reductions from several international donors have disrupted operations in eastern Congo, potentially limiting assistance if the outbreak continues to expand.

Response Complicated by Conflict and Mistrust

Health authorities and aid organizations continue to face significant obstacles in containing the virus. Armed conflict, population displacement and attacks on health workers have complicated efforts to deliver medical care and conduct public health campaigns. Community mistrust and misinformation have also hindered response measures in some areas.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Congolese Red Cross have deployed volunteers to conduct community outreach, infection-prevention campaigns and safe burial operations. Humanitarian organizations say public cooperation remains crucial to slowing transmission and encouraging people to seek treatment early.

Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration has cautioned governments against border closures, arguing that restrictions could drive cross-border movement through unofficial routes and make surveillance more difficult. Uganda nevertheless closed its border with Congo after reporting cases linked to the outbreak.

Signs of Hope Amid Growing Concern

Despite the worsening situation, health officials have reported a small number of recoveries. At least five patients have recovered from the disease, offering encouragement to medical teams working under difficult conditions. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has described the scale and speed of the outbreak as deeply concerning while urging stronger international support for containment efforts.

Authorities in Congo have also reopened Bunia’s airport for domestic flights, introducing temperature screenings and other health measures aimed at limiting the spread of the virus while maintaining essential transportation links.

Regional Health Emergency Draws Global Attention

The World Health Organization has classified the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern. Health officials continue to monitor suspected cases while expanding testing and treatment capacity. WHO figures show that many initially suspected infections have since been ruled out following investigations, though the confirmed caseload remains substantial.

As the response continues, volunteers serving meals in Bunia represent a less visible but important part of the fight against Ebola. In a region facing overlapping humanitarian crises, aid workers say providing food, comfort and routine can be as important as medical treatment for patients confronting a disease that remains difficult to contain.

The post Volunteers Bring Food and Support as Congo Battles Expanding Ebola Outbreak appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.