Congo Ebola outbreak crosses 6,000 cases as insecurity hinders response

Bunia,UPDATED: Aug 31, 2026 19:52 IST

Congo's authorities said on Monday that the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history has crossed 6,000 cases, with 2,911 deaths. More than 1,360 people have recovered from the virus, which officials described as an "encouraging" development.

The outbreak in eastern Congo is spreading in extremely difficult conditions, driven by insecurity, displacement, a strike by health workers and heavy movement of people. The World Health Organisation has said the outbreak remains out of control and is on course to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, the deadliest on record, which killed more than 11,000 people, mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Authorities said the situation is especially worrying at displacement sites, where residents already live in extremely precarious conditions. Last week, the virus spread to two new health zones in the region. Although the current outbreak was declared in mid-May, officials believe it had been spreading since February. It has expanded from three health zones to nearly 60, with most cases and deaths occurring outside the network of monitored contacts and within communities.

On Saturday, an Ebola response team was attacked on the outskirts of Mambasa in Ituri province while responding to a call to secure a body. A representative told The Associated Press that young people armed with machetes stormed the funeral site, forcing the team to flee and injuring one member. "We demand greater security so we can operate in the field and do our work without endangering our lives," said Floribert Magene, a member of the response team.

The outbreak has been caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare type of Ebola for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment. Last week, Congo began vaccinating health and other front-line workers with the Ervebo vaccine, which had proved effective in past Ebola outbreaks caused by a different and more common type known as Zaire. Clinical trials are under way to find a licensed vaccine for the Bundibugyo virus.

Efforts to bring the outbreak under control, including limits on public gatherings, social distancing and airport closures, have disrupted life in six provinces, especially Ituri, which has also been hit by rebel violence. The government has introduced some measures, including installing health and sanitary equipment at some locations, but advocacy groups say more needs to be done to build trust with the community. While neighbouring Uganda declared itself free of Ebola last month, the WHO said last week that the risk of further cross-border spread remains. Overall, the outbreak continues to widen as authorities face both medical and security challenges in trying to contain it.

With PTI Inputs

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