Ebola is spreading more rapidly than in previous outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the death toll now hitting at least 930. Over the weekend, health officials reported 37 new fatalities in just a single day, indicating a concerning acceleration of the virus.
As of Monday, confirmed cases have reached at least 2,344, according to the health ministry. This tally includes the high daily number reported since the outbreak started on May 15. The World Health Organization (WHO) cautioned last week that the situation is unprecedented, with the latest outbreak advancing faster than any previously documented.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that during the 2018-2020 outbreak, it took over ten months to register 2,000 confirmed cases. This time, however, that number was reached in just two months, and officials suggest the real number could be at least double that.
“It is now the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record,” Tedros emphasized, adding that this rapid spread is alarming. The current outbreak, the DRC’s 17th, began following several deaths in Ituri, a northeastern province known for its mineral wealth and presence of armed groups.
Instances of Ebola, which spreads through close contact with bodily fluids, have appeared in five provinces across the DRC and even in Uganda. While Uganda is nearing a status described as “virus-free,” the situation in the DRC is worsening.
Compounding the issues in Ituri, healthcare workers initiated a strike last week, further straining the healthcare response. They blocked access to Bunia General Hospital, voicing grievances over unpaid compensation despite working under hazardous conditions throughout the outbreak.
Tedros pointed out that a significant number of new cases—over 80 percent—are being detected outside established contact lists, indicating gaps in the transmission tracking efforts. Currently, 724 patients are isolated in hospitals as authorities ramp up measures to control the outbreak.
The health ministry reported a small positive note with 22 new recoveries noted in just 24 hours, suggesting that patient care efforts are gaining some ground, despite the overall troubling situation.
