Ebola crisis escalates in drc: confirmed cases surpass 1,500 amid high lethality

Ebola has tragically claimed over 15,000 lives across Africa in the past five decades. The Democratic Republic of Congo endured its deadliest outbreak between 2018 and 2020, which resulted in nearly 2,300 fatalities among 3,500 recorded cases.

The current epidemic, officially declared on May 15, has seen a distressing surge in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 506 deaths and 1,561 confirmed infections reported. The latest situation report from July 4 indicates that neighboring Uganda, meanwhile, maintains a lower count of two fatalities and 20 confirmed cases.

In a significant development, a clinical trial for two experimental treatments targeting the Bundibugyo strain, identified as the cause of this outbreak, commenced last week. Furthermore, emergency use authorization has been granted for the first molecular diagnostic test for the virus, accelerating detection efforts.

Persistent challenges and high mortality rates

The epicenter of this unfolding health crisis, whose true scale remains challenging to ascertain and which could persist for many months, is situated in Ituri province. This northeastern Congolese region shares borders with both South Sudan and Uganda.

Within the mining town of Mongbwalu, widely believed to be the starting point of the current epidemic, the exceptionally high lethality rate of 50.7% underscores ongoing difficulties in providing timely care or ensuring patient access to medical services.

The virus has also spread to the adjacent provinces of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu. Significant portions of these territories, including their provincial capitals, are currently under the control of the anti-government armed group M23.

In Nord-Kivu, health authorities in Congo deem the mortality rate of 57.4% to be particularly concerning, as it significantly surpasses the national average. Conversely, Sud-Kivu province has not recorded any new confirmed cases since May 26.

Last week, the M23’s health authorities announced that the epidemic had been eradicated within the zones they govern. However, this claim has not been independently verified.

Following this announcement, cross-border traffic between eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Rwanda partially resumed. This reopening occurred after several weeks of closures at border crossings.

Transnational exchanges are a common feature in this part of Africa, particularly vital for trade. Many Congolese residents in the region also frequently travel to Rwanda to utilize Kigali’s airport, especially since the M23’s closure of Goma airport in early 2025.