DRC – 17th Ebola Outbreak (Bundibugyo virus) - Concerns over reliability of Government reported cumulative cases and deaths - May 2026+

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Wamba, Haut-Uele
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wamba,_Haut-Uele
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Ebola: Two imported cases confirmed in Haut-Uélé, including one death from Nia-Nia

Saturday, July 4, 2026 - 4:05 PM

The Ebola virus disease epidemic continues its geographical spread in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Two imported cases, including one death, have been confirmed in the Wamba health zone, in Haut-Uélé province, following investigations carried out on contacts who came from Nia-Nia, in Ituri.

The announcement was made this Saturday by the head of operations for the Ebola response, Dr. Adelard Lofongula. Laboratory tests confirmed the infection of two people, one of whom died after testing.

"The results came back positive for two samples. These are the person who died after the sample was taken and one of the two patients still alive. These are the two cases that we have notified for the Wamba health zone," said Dr. Adelard Lofongula.

According to health authorities, these infections did not originate in Haut-Uélé province. Epidemiological investigations have established that the individuals concerned had left PK41, in the Nia-Nia health zone of Ituri, where they had been identified as contacts of a confirmed Ebola case.

The investigations also led to the identification of three contact cases admitted to a health facility in Wamba. One of them had left the hospital before being located by the response teams and subsequently undergoing biological testing.

However, the head of the response operations wants to reassure the population by indicating that local transmission has not yet been established in this part of the country.

"Investigations have shown that these cases are not indigenous, but imported from PK41, in the Nia-Nia health zone. These people had been in contact with a deceased case and were on the contact list," he specified.

Health authorities also indicate that all samples analyzed from Isiro, Watsa and Dungu have come back negative, while epidemiological surveillance continues in order to prevent any community transmission in the Haut-Uélé province.

Freddy Upar, in Bunia

https://actualite.cd/2026/07/04/ebola-deux-cas-importes-confirmes-dans-le-haut-uele-dont-un-deces-en-provenance-de-nia

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SitRep N°051/MVB_04/07/2026

• juillet 5, 2026
• Posted by insp.cd

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https://insp.cd/sitrep-n051-mvb_04-07-2026/

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Ituri-Ebola: 17 new cases in Nia-Nia, the epidemic continues its rise amid violence, a strike by service providers, and a lack of resources

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 - 09:52

Seventeen new cases of Ebola virus disease have been confirmed in the Nia-Nia health zone (Mambasa territory) (Ituri), after nearly two weeks of delays in transporting samples to the laboratory in Bunia. This new outbreak comes as the Ebola response is going through one of its most critical periods, facing logistical difficulties, attacks on health facilities, persistent insecurity, and strikes by field teams.

According to health authorities, twenty samples taken from the area could not be transported to the laboratory until Saturday, July 4, due to a lack of transportation. Tests revealed that seventeen were positive for the Ebola virus. The new infections now affect the four health zones of Nia-Nia Centre (CECCA 16, Nia-Nia, Afia ya Wagonjwa, and Alimasi) as well as the health zones of Juhudi, Bafwabango, and Bafwambaya along the Nia-Nia-Isiro axis. Since the end of May, the total number of confirmed cases in this health zone has reached 29.

"Of the twenty samples sent to Bunia after nearly two weeks of waiting due to a lack of transport, seventeen came back positive. Today, all the health areas of Nia-Nia center are affected. Every delay in the transport of samples and in the processing promotes the spread of the virus. We call on the population to cooperate with the health teams, to respect barrier measures, to accept dignified and safe burials, not to handle animals found dead and to consult a health facility quickly as soon as the first symptoms appear," warns Dr. Joseph Pemanakue, chief medical officer of the Nia-Nia health zone.

The deteriorating situation comes just days after the Ebola Treatment Center (ETC) in Bafwabango and the Juhudi health center were burned down on June 30 during violence perpetrated by a segment of the population. Since this attack, several response activities have remained suspended in this part of Ituri, further complicating the care of patients and the tracing of contacts.

Adding to this situation is a growing climate of insecurity. Healthcare workers report being subjected to threats and accusations that they are responsible for the spread of the disease. Several nurses have left the area for fear of their safety, while some health facilities have closed their doors to avoid further attacks.

Meanwhile, a strike launched by response workers demanding payment of their bonuses risks further weakening operations on the ground. According to several sources, some essential activities, including investigations, epidemiological surveillance, and contact tracing, are already experiencing disruptions in several affected areas.

While Ituri remains the epicenter of the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, health actors fear that a combination of logistical delays, insecurity, community mistrust and social tensions within response teams could accelerate the transmission of the virus in the coming weeks.

Freddy Upar, in Bunia

https://actualite.cd/2026/07/07/ituri-ebola-17-nouveaux-cas-nia-nia-lepidemie-poursuit-son-ascension-entre-violence

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Ebola continues to spread in DRC as death toll passes 500, WHO warns

© UNFPA/Jonas Yunus Health workers in North Kivu, eastern DR Congo, prepare to treat patients as the Ebola outbreak continues.

By Dominika Tomaszewska-Mortimer
7 July 2026

The outbreak of the deadly Bundibugyo species of Ebola in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expanding, while the push to accelerate testing and identify effective treatment options continues, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

The outbreak’s “true scale has not yet been fully established,” said Dr. Anne Ancia, WHO’s representative to the DRC.

“We would like to say it is stabilising, but frankly, we cannot say it yet”, she said.

Speaking from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province at the heart of the outbreak, Dr. Ancia told reporters in Geneva that as of 4 July, the country’s Government has recorded 1,561 confirmed cases, including 506 deaths and 254 people recovered. More than 10,000 contacts are being monitored.

Centres at ‘saturation point’

In support of the government-led response, WHO is strengthening its understanding of the history of every case of infection “so that we can really understand the chain of transmission” and isolate every contact case, Dr. Ancia said.

Pointing to the challenges, the WHO representative said treatment centres are “at saturation point”.

“I visited treatment centres in and around Bunia, Beni, Butembo, Katwa, and I met frontline workers responsible for patient care, contact tracing, investigating alerts and sensitising and mobilising communities,” she said, commending the responders. “I witnessed firsthand the dedication of staff who continue to serve their communities despite enormous challenges.”

All needs cannot be met

The current outbreak was declared on 15 May and has been unfolding in areas marked by active conflict, displacement and overstretched health services.

“Today, we do not have enough ambulances,” Dr. Ancia said, warning that all the needs in Ituri province cannot be met.

Positive gains amid challenges

Encouraging developments include the progress made on testing, as daily capacity has increased from 30 tests in Kinshasa to more than 2,000, “thanks to 10 decentralised laboratories established in the affected provinces”, the WHO representative explained, with the most recent lab opening in Bunia.

Another positive step is the start of a clinical trial on 2 July to identify effective treatment options as there is no approved, proven cure for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola. The trial will evaluate two promising therapies, a monoclonal antibody, MBP134, and the antiviral remdesivir.

“These drugs will be administered alone or in combination to assess their potential to improve survival among people with the Bundibugyo virus disease,” Dr. Ancia said.

More than 1,200 treatment doses are available, and additional therapies can be incorporated into the trial as new evidence emerges.

Violent clashes

The security situation in eastern DRC remains highly unstable amid violent clashes between the DRC forces and armed militias in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces.

In late June, James Swan, head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, told the Security Council that heavy fighting continued between the Alliance Fleuve Congo/23 March Movement (AFC/M23), supported by Rwandan forces, and the Congolese Army (FARDC) allied with the Wazalendo armed group.

Rwanda has consistently denied such allegations.

Daily alerts investigated

In the parts of North Kivu controlled by the de facto authorities, she said “we are working to strengthen community surveillance to make sure that there are no more cases,” noting that a high number of alerts are coming through “every day” from labs in the field and are being followed up.

Asked about a reported claim from the M23 group that Ebola had been eradicated in the areas under its control, Dr. Ancia confirmed having received information indicating that there were no more cases in those zones and “all contact cases had been released.”

“For now, indeed, we do not have reports of confirmed cases” in the area, she said.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/07/1167882

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SitRep N°052/MVB_05/07/2026

• juillet 7, 2026
• Posted by insp.cd

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https://insp.cd/sitrep-n052-mvb_05-07-2026/

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SitRep N°053/MVB_06/07/2026

• July 7, 2026
• Posted by insp.cd

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https://insp.cd/sitrep-n053-mvb_06-07-2026/

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https://www.who.int/emergencies/alert-and-response

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SitRep N°054/MVB_07/07/2026

• July 8, 2026
• Posted by insp.cd

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https://insp.cd/sitrep-n054-mvb_07-07-2026/

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https://www.who.int/emergencies/alert-and-response

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8:00 AM · Jul 9, 2026

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The government officially confirms the spread of the Ebola epidemic to Tshopo and Haut-Uélé

July 9, 2026

Bunia, July 9, 2026 (ACP) – The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced on Thursday the official extension of the Ebola virus disease epidemic to the provinces of Tshopo and Haut-Uélé, due to the movement of infected people from the Nia-Nia health zone, according to the Minister of Health.

“ The epidemic has spread to Tshopo and Haut-Uélé due to the movement of sick people from Nia-Nia. We are still in the active, very active phase of the disease. The increase in cases demonstrates the effectiveness of community contact tracing in uncovering hidden cases, but it is impossible to pinpoint the peak of the epidemic today ,” said Health Minister Roger Kamba, on an evaluation mission in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province.

According to the minister, this geographical expansion is directly linked to the mobility of populations coming from the Nia-Nia health zone, where the outbreak is concentrated.

He indicated that the epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has entered a phase of active transmission, while stressing that the rise in detected cases also reflects the strengthening of community surveillance.

At the time of this announcement, two confirmed cases had been recorded in the province of Haut-Uele, in the territory of Wamba, while two other cases had been recorded in Kisangani, capital of the province of Tshopo.

Health authorities are continuing surveillance, contact tracing, and patient care operations to contain the spread of the epidemic. ACP/HM/MK

https://acp.cd/science-sante-environnement/le-gouvernement-officialise-lextension-de-lepidemie-debola-a-la-tshopo-et-au-haut-uele/

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Ebola: Roger Kamba officially announces Tshopo and Haut-Uele among the affected provinces

Thursday, July 9, 2026 - 2:23 PM

In Bunia, in the province of Ituri, the Minister of Health, Roger Kamba, announced this Thursday, July 9, 2026, the integration of Tshopo and Haut-Uele among the provinces officially affected by the Ebola virus disease.

Patients have left Nia-Nia for Tshopo and Haut-Uele, where two cases were declared positive in Wamba. Meanwhile, in Tshopo, two positive cases were declared on the 54th day of the response.

“We have seen sick people from here enter Tshopo and Wamba. Tshopo is now affected by the disease...we have had cases in Wamba, so we consider that Wamba is in the list of affected areas,” said Roger Kamba, who was staying in Bunia.

Regarding the evolution of the disease, the Minister explained that in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, "we are still in the acute phase, in growth, we now have Wamba and Tshopo which are concerned due to this very significant mobility".

The Ebola virus disease has already claimed 600 lives, with 750 recoveries out of 1,759 cases. Furthermore, the province of North Kivu has now gone 42 days without a new case.

"I think I will soon announce the withdrawal of South Kivu from the response," said Roger Kamba.

Gaston MUKENDI, in Kisangani

https://actualite.cd/2026/07/09/ebola-roger-kamba-annonce-officiellement-la-tshopo-et-le-haut-uele-parmi-les-provinces

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Djugu territory
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djugu_territory
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Ituri: More than 180 suspected Ebola deaths reported in Lopa in one month; communities on alert are mobilizing

Thursday, July 9, 2026 - 10:30

Civil society in Lopa, in the Djugu territory of Ituri province, reports that more than 180 people have died from an unknown Ebola-like illness in the area of Lopa and its surroundings within a single month (June-July). Local stakeholders consider this situation alarming and denounce the challenges facing the Ebola response in this part of the province.

According to Lotsima Latchu Fredy, president of the civil society of Lopa, several factors continue to compromise efforts to combat the epidemic, including the non-payment of bonuses to the response teams, the inadequacy of logistical resources, and the delays recorded in the organization of dignified and safe burials.

"We estimate that more than 180 people have lost their lives in Lopa and the surrounding area in the space of a month. The response teams are working in very difficult conditions, without sufficient resources and with payment delays. We call on the health authorities and partners to intervene quickly before the situation becomes uncontrollable," Lotsima Latchu Fredy, head of civil society in Lopa, told ACTUALITE.CD .

When contacted by ACTUALITE.CD, neither the Ituri Provincial Health Division nor the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) had responded to these claims at the time of publication of this article.

Despite the spread of the epidemic, community initiatives are attempting to strengthen prevention efforts. This Tuesday, the LORI cultural association, which brings together the Lendu people, organized an awareness campaign in the Bakombe group, in the Walendu Djatsi sector.

According to its president, this initiative aims to inform residents about the modes of transmission of the disease, to promote respect for barrier measures and to strengthen collaboration between communities and health teams.

"Our goal is to make the population understand that the disease really exists, to adopt preventive measures and to collaborate with health services to break the chain of transmission," explained Claude Mateso Budju, president of the LORI cultural association.

According to the latest official figures published by Congolese health authorities, the 17th Ebola outbreak has resulted in 1,561 confirmed cases, 506 deaths, and 253 recoveries in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ituri remains the epicenter of this epidemic.

Freddy Upar, in Bunia

https://actualite.cd/2026/07/09/ituri-plus-180-deces-suspects-debola-signales-lopa-en-un-mois-les-communautes-en-alerte

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SitRep N°055/MVB_08/07/2026

• juillet 9, 2026
• Posted by insp.cd

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https://insp.cd/sitrep-n055-mvb_08-07-2026/

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https://www.who.int/emergencies/alert-and-response

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In Djugu, communities are raising the alarm about delays in safe burials for Ebola victims.

Published on Thu, 09/07/2026 - 09:54 | Modified on Thu, 09/07/2026 - 09:54

Calls for help are multiplying in several localities in the Djugu territory of Ituri province, where communities are denouncing a resurgence of deaths linked to the Ebola epidemic and delays in the handling of bodies. In Lopa, community leaders raised the alarm on Wednesday, July 8, regarding the lack of logistical resources available to the teams responsible for dignified and safe burials.

According to several alerts received Wednesday morning, bodies of deceased individuals were still being kept in some homes, awaiting the arrival of response teams. This situation is causing concern among residents, especially as health authorities regularly reiterate the high risk of contamination associated with handling the remains of Ebola victims.

The president of Lopa's civil society, Freddy Lotsima, claims that more than 180 people have died in the past month in the town and its surrounding areas. This figure has not been confirmed by official sources. He believes that beyond the death toll, the crisis has left behind numerous grieving families, with hundreds of orphans and widows in urgent need of assistance.

He attributes the observed delays in burials to a lack of vehicles, fuel, and operational resources for the response teams.

“ The most serious problem is that, due to a lack of resources, bodies remain locked inside homes for three to four days before the arrival of response teams. This is a danger to everyone. We are asking the government to immediately provide the teams with vehicles and fuel so that they can intervene within 24 hours of each death. Saving the living also means giving the dead a dignified burial ,” said Freddy Lotsima.

For community stakeholders, improving the capacity of teams to provide dignified and safe burials is essential in the fight against the epidemic. They believe that a rapid response would not only limit the risk of the virus spreading, but also preserve the dignity of the deceased and support bereaved families.

For their part, health authorities reiterate that any contact with the body of a person who has died from Ebola exposes relatives and community members to a significant risk of infection. They encourage residents to immediately report any suspicious deaths and to avoid handling the remains until specialists arrive.

These new appeals highlight the ongoing challenges faced by communities in the Djugu territory. Despite efforts to respond, the lack of dignified and safe burial teams and logistical constraints continue to complicate the management of the epidemic and further weaken populations already suffering from multiple humanitarian crises.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2026/07/09/actualite/sante/djugu-des-communautes-alertent-sur-les-retards-denterrements-securises

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Haut-Uélé: Governor Jean Bakomito declares an Ebola outbreak after seven deaths are confirmed

July 10, 2026

ISIRO, July 10, 2026 (ACP) - The governor of the Haut-Uélé province, in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Jean Bakomito Gambu, officially declared an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak across the entire province on Friday, after the confirmation of seven positive cases who died from the Bundibugyo strain in the Wamba health zone.

This decision follows the results of analyses by the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), released on July 9, which reported seven deaths linked to this strain of Ebola. Alerts have also been reported in the health zones of Pawa and Boma-Mangbetu, as well as in the city of Isiro, leading provincial authorities to strengthen surveillance and response measures.

"Referring to the laboratory confirmation results from the INRB (...) which reported seven positive cases of death from Ebola virus disease in the Wamba health zone (...), I officially declare the Ebola virus disease epidemic in the Haut-Uélé province," announced Jean Bakomito Gambu, during an official statement.

The governor called on the population to remain calm and vigilant, while urging residents to avoid panic and misinformation. "I call on our population to exercise a high sense of responsibility, to remain calm, and not to give in to panic or misinformation, but to scrupulously follow the advice of the response coordination team," he said.

Authorities are asking anyone experiencing high fever, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, severe fatigue or bleeding to go immediately to a health facility for prompt medical attention.

Among the measures decided are the immediate reporting of suspected cases, regular hand washing, the limitation of public gatherings, respect for physical distancing, health control at points of entry to the province as well as the prohibition made on houses of prayer and traditional healers to take care of patients showing signs compatible with Ebola.

The governor also reiterated that all suspicious deaths must be given a dignified and secure burial under the supervision of health teams. He assured that the provincial response committee was "already hard at work," with the support of the central government and technical and financial partners, to quickly contain this epidemic.
ACP/

https://acp.cd/science-sante-environnement/haut-uele-le-gouverneur-jean-bakomito-declare-une-epidemie-debola-apres-la-confirmation-de-sept-deces/

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CDC Statement on Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda: 7/10/26

Release

For immediate release: July 10, 2026
CDC Media Relations
CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286
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CDC is aware of a U.S. citizen working for a humanitarian organization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who has tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola. CDC is working with the patient's employing organization, other U.S. federal agencies, public health authorities, and partners in DRC to help prevent further transmission by supporting contact tracing and performing risk assessments to identify high-risk contacts.

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2026/cdc-ebola-outbreak-in-democratic-republic-of-congo-and-uganda.html