Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC kills 864, over 2,180 cases as attacks target health workers

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reports 864 confirmed Ebola deaths and 2,181 cases, a case‑fatality rate of about 39.6%. The outbreak, driven by the Bundibugyo strain, is concentrated in Ituri province, which accounts for roughly 90 % of cases, and has spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut‑Uélé and Tshopo. In the past 24 hours health authorities recorded 56 new infections and 36 additional deaths; 722 patients remain in isolation or hospital care while 412 have recovered. Contact‑tracing coverage stands at 66.9 %.

Security incidents are hampering response efforts: more than a dozen attacks on treatment centres, burial teams and health‑care workers have been reported, and many staff have gone on strike over unpaid wages. The World Health Organization warned that the outbreak is “spreading faster than any previous one,” noting the lack of an approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo variant. Funding cuts have further strained the response, prompting NGOs such as CARE to request additional support. Neighboring Uganda has declared the last of its imported cases recovered and begun a 42‑day observation period.

The combined health and security challenges underline the urgency of intensified surveillance, community engagement and resource mobilization to contain the virus.