DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Expands, Death Toll Rises

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak, centered in Ituri, is the fastest-growing in history, with confirmed cases rising to 5,514 and deaths at 2,642 as health authorities struggle to curb transmission. The majority of cases and deaths are in Ituri, which remains the epicenter, while community deaths outside treatment centers highlight ongoing access and detection challenges. The case fatality rate stands at about 47.9%, and in hard-to-reach areas such as North Kivu it climbs even higher, underscoring regional disparities in outcomes. Vaccination efforts have begun with Ervebo doses, but it is unclear how effective they will be against the Bundibugyo virus, and rollout to frontline workers has been slow. Beyond the outbreak itself, maternal mortality is rising in Ituri as the health system—the region’s already fragile paradox—struggles under the weight of Ebola restrictions, conflict, and limited obstetric care. WHO and Congolese officials are calling for scaled-up action and better community engagement to bring the outbreak under control.