Congolese health authorities reported Thursday that the number of confirmed Ebola cases in the country had risen to 1,155, according to the Ministry of Public Health. The figure reflects new infections detected in the ongoing outbreak that has affected multiple provinces, prompting the World Health Organization to call for intensified surveillance and vaccination campaigns.
The ministry’s latest bulletin released this week detailed that the case count includes laboratory-confirmed infections from several health zones in the eastern part of the country. It also noted that the outbreak has led to a significant number of deaths, though exact fatality figures were not immediately available in the update. International partners including the World Health Organization have been working alongside local authorities to trace contacts of infected individuals. This collaborative effort has helped in identifying potential new cases early, the ministry said.
A similar Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo between 2018 and 2020, according to World Health Organization data, resulted in more than 3,400 confirmed cases and over 2,200 deaths before it was declared over. That epidemic highlighted the challenges of operating in conflict-affected areas where health infrastructure is limited. The current situation draws on lessons from that period with ongoing security issues complicating access to affected communities. Health experts have stressed the importance of community trust in successful containment, a World Health Organization assessment found.
According to a Reuters report from last month, the initial cases were linked to a cluster in North Kivu province, where the virus is believed to have jumped from animal reservoirs. Since then, the outbreak has spread to adjacent areas, raising alarms about potential urban transmission, the health ministry reported. The government has established several treatment centers equipped with necessary medical supplies. These facilities are managed by specialized teams trained in infection prevention and control, according to the ministry’s update.
The World Health Organization assessment found that rapid response is critical to limiting the scale of Ebola outbreaks, with past successes in Nigeria and Senegal demonstrating the effectiveness of quick isolation and contact tracing. In Congo, however, logistical challenges have slowed some aspects of the response, a World Health Organization briefing indicated. Funding for the operation has come from various donors, including the African Union and bilateral partners, according to official statements. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely for any signs of international spread, the health ministry said.
In an update on its website, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised travelers to avoid areas with active Ebola transmission and to follow strict hygiene protocols if visiting the region. The agency also noted that while the risk to the United States remains low, preparedness measures are in place at entry points. Congolese authorities have implemented screening at major border crossings and airports, the ministry reported. This measure aims to detect any symptomatic individuals before they travel, according to border health protocols.
The health ministry has called on the public to report any suspected cases immediately to local health facilities. Education campaigns are underway to inform communities about the symptoms of Ebola and ways to prevent its spread, the ministry’s bulletin stated. These include avoiding contact with bodily fluids of infected persons and not handling bushmeat, according to public health guidelines. Such preventive steps have proven effective in reducing transmission rates in previous incidents, World Health Organization historical reports show. The ministry continues to update its figures as laboratory results are processed.
