DR Congo warns of ‘rapid’ community spread of Ebola
The Democratic Republic of Congo says 71 new cases of Ebola have been confirmed in a 24-hour period and warns that the deadly disease is spreading rapidly in the community.
The new data, included in the daily situation report published by the health ministry, brings the total number of confirmed cases to 452 since the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola was announced on May 15.
There are 82 confirmed deaths.
The cases are concentrated in Ituri province in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a remote region where the country’s health infrastructure is weak and there is widespread insecurity due to conflict between armed groups.
The daily total of 71 new cases, 65 in Ituri province and six in North Kivu province, is one of the largest cases during the epidemic and the 17th in the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Key to ending the #Ebola epidemic in the #DRC region: Government leadership; Community ownership; Strong partnership between many actors working with one budget, one plan and one report; And building trust in affected communities. pic.twitter.com/OMy773piS4— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 5, 2026
“The number of confirmed cases recorded in the two provinces shows that community transmission is rapid and sustained,” the situation report said. The statement was included.
Cases were confirmed in 17 of 36 health zones in Ituri, seven health zones in North Kivu and one health zone in South Kivu, the report said.
There are also cases in neighboring Uganda.
Earlier on Friday, World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced a US$518 million ($735 million) six-month plan to combat Ebola, calling for money and political commitment to stop the spread of what is already the fourth-largest outbreak on record.
Announcing that a joint plan will be made with the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from June to November, Tedros said, “We are not starting from scratch, this plan draws on previous epidemics and recent health emergencies.” he said.
“Containing Ebola requires political commitment, sustainable financing and trust in the participation of communities,” he said.
The World Health Organization and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the strategy aims to help the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda contain their outbreaks and help other countries prepare for possible cases through measures including enhanced border screening.
The outbreak went unnoticed for weeks, leaving health authorities struggling to contain it, the Africa CDC said in the same briefing.
The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no approved treatment or vaccine.
“This outbreak is very serious. If you compare it to previous Bundibugyo outbreaks, this is the most serious Bundibugyo outbreak we have had,” said Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa CDC.
The Africa CDC announced the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on May 15, and shortly thereafter the WHO declared the situation a public health emergency of international concern.
While widely used Ebola tests initially failed to detect the Bundibugyo strain, testing has been a challenge as delays in obtaining results continue.
“It takes anywhere from a few days to a week or more. And it’s frustrating,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian aid group operating in DR Congo’s Ituri province.
Distrust and resistance also hindered the response, with attacks on funeral teams and treatment centers reported.
Highlighting the security risks, the WHO said on Friday it had received three armored vehicles from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
