The Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded more than 7,000 Ebola cases in its latest outbreak, even as government officials say the rate of new infections appears to be falling. The official total released at the weekend was 7,022 cases, including 3,398 deaths and 1,671 recoveries.
Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said the outbreak appeared to have reached a peak in the third week of August. He said 10 of the 61 affected health zones had recorded no new cases for at least 21 days. That is an encouraging indication in those areas, but it does not mean transmission has ended: a case was confirmed in South Ubangi province last week, taking the number of affected provinces to seven.
The outbreak was detected in mid-May in northeastern Ituri and has since spread across parts of eastern and northern Congo. Response teams face long distances, limited health infrastructure and insecurity in several affected areas. Health authorities still need to find cases quickly, monitor contacts and provide safe care and burials to prevent further transmission.
The new government figures are higher than the World Health Organization’s last published situation update, which counted 6,757 confirmed cases and 3,267 deaths as of 7 September. The difference reflects the reporting dates; the figures should not be treated as competing estimates for the same day.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus. There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, although vaccines and therapies are being studied. The government’s assessment that infections may have peaked therefore remains provisional, particularly while cases continue to appear outside the original epicentre.
Sunday Express previously reported on a new treatment centre in Kisangani as authorities increased care capacity.
Sources: Africanews/AFP, 14 September 2026; World Health Organization, 10 September 2026.