26/06/2026
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26/06/2026
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KINSHASA, Jun 26: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed more than 300 lives, with health authorities warning that the virus continues to spread across multiple provinces despite ongoing containment efforts.
According to the latest update from the Health Ministry, the outbreak—caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus—has resulted in 1,155 confirmed infections and 304 deaths since it was officially declared on May 15, giving the disease a fatality rate of 26.3 percent.
The epidemic has spread to 34 health zones and remains active in three provinces—Ituri, the hardest-hit region, as well as North Kivu and South Kivu.
Health officials reported a positive development with 16 additional patients recovering in Ituri after testing negative for the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 138.
The worsening health emergency has also exposed major funding challenges. Earlier on Thursday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said that $1.4 billion is needed to fully finance the continental Ebola response and preparedness plan.
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya said the funding would support both humanitarian assistance and public health operations. Although African nations and international partners recently pledged $910 million during an African Union-led high-level meeting, only 13 percent of those commitments have so far reached affected countries and response agencies.
To curb further transmission, the Congolese government has imposed a mandatory 21-day quarantine on travelers arriving from Ebola-affected areas, alongside intensified surveillance and containment measures.
Health authorities continue to urge international support as they race to contain one of the country's deadliest Ebola outbreaks in recent years, warning that rapid funding and coordinated action will be crucial to preventing further spread.
