KINSHASA, CONGO / MENA Newswire / – Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have risen to 896, including 232 deaths, according to the latest government situation data. The increase included 21 new confirmed cases and six new deaths in the 24 hours covered by the report. The figures point to a sharp rise in eastern Congo, where the outbreak has spread across affected health zones.
The outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists. Health authorities confirmed the outbreak in May. Cases have affected Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, with Uganda also reporting linked infections. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ministry of Health has said confirmed cases continue to rise week on week.
The increase has placed added pressure on surveillance, isolation, safe burial work and contact tracing. The outbreak remains centered in eastern Congo, where insecurity, movement across borders and weak infrastructure have complicated response work. Health teams are working in areas with displaced communities, limited roads and pressure on clinics that already serve large local populations.
Cases expand across provinces
The latest count follows earlier data showing 782 confirmed cases in Congo as of June 13. The rise to 896 cases marks an increase of about 15 percent from that figure, while other weekly comparisons have shown growth near 40 percent from earlier reporting periods. Authorities have also reported continued transmission in communities, a key concern during Ebola response operations.
The World Health Organization has said the outbreak was confirmed in Congo and Uganda in May and involves the Bundibugyo species. It has described the operating environment as difficult because of a humanitarian crisis, population movement and security incidents. Uganda has reported confirmed cases linked to travel or exposure connected with the Congo outbreak, including cases in Kampala and Wakiso.
Response faces funding gap
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has said Ebola response funding remains below the level pledged by donors. Officials have reported that less than 10 percent of more than $900 million in pledged support had been received. The gap affects response needs such as staffing, surveillance, laboratory testing, medical supplies, protective gear and community outreach in affected areas.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of infected people, or through contaminated materials. Symptoms can include fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding. Health workers rely on rapid detection, isolation, contact tracing, infection control and safe burials to slow transmission. Officials continue to track confirmed cases, deaths and affected health zones as the outbreak response expands.