Browsing: World Health Organization

Congo Ebola outbreak reaches 6,250 cases in six provinces

The World Health Organization has urged a wider Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as transmission continues across several provinces. Congo had recorded 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 deaths by Sept. 1, according to the latest government figures. The outbreak has affected 60 health zones in six provinces. Authorities have also recorded 1,439 recoveries, while the case fatality rate stands at 48.6%. The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has become Congo’s largest and deadliest Ebola epidemic on record. It is also the world’s second-largest recorded Ebola outbreak, behind the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa. Ituri province remains the main center of transmission. The province accounts for about 85% of confirmed cases and 88% of reported deaths, making it the most heavily affected area in the current public health emergency. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said health teams still have not identified every chain of transmission. Many recent deaths involved people who did not appear on known contact lists. Community deaths and unsafe burials also continue to complicate efforts to control the virus. Africa CDC reported that more than 60% of deaths during the latest seven-day period occurred in communities rather than health facilities.

European Commission adds PCR support for Ebola outbreak

The European Commission has expanded its Ebola response with a €2.1 million purchase of PCR tests for the Bundibugyo virus outbreak. Shipments are due to start in August as health teams confront a large outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and affecting parts of the wider region. The latest supply package adds laboratory resources at a time when authorities continue to monitor transmission across several provinces and health zones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

DRC malaria cases surpass 26 million in 2025

The Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded 26,064,143 malaria cases in 2025. The country also reported 29,938 deaths linked to the disease during the year. Guy Esebe Dembo, deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, announced the figures during a campaign launch in Ituri province. Dembo said malaria remains the country’s main public health challenge. The new totals confirm a heavy disease burden across one of Africa’s most malaria-affected countries.

DR Congo Ebola outbreak reaches record scale

The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has become the country’s largest recorded epidemic. Health authorities counted 3,605 confirmed cases through July 30, including 1,587 deaths. The case fatality rate stood at 44%. Teams logged 567 infections and 296 deaths during the latest full reporting week. Those figures marked the highest weekly totals since the outbreak began. The surge placed further pressure on surveillance, treatment and community response operations.