Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo reported Monday that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the country has surpassed 6,000 confirmed cases, with 2,911 deaths recorded. More than 1,360 people have recovered, an outcome officials described as a positive development amid the escalating crisis.

The outbreak, which began spreading in February but was officially declared in mid-May, is noted as the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic in history. It continues to expand across nearly 60 health zones, a sharp increase from the initial three areas affected. The current spread is concentrated largely in Ituri province and surrounding areas, where insecurity, displacement, and a health workers’ strike have severely complicated response efforts. Health officials have expressed particular concern about the situation in displacement sites, where residents endure precarious living conditions that facilitate virus transmission.

The virus responsible for this outbreak is the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a less common variant for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists. Last week, the Congolese government began vaccinating frontline health workers with the Ervebo vaccine—previously effective against the more widespread Zaire strain—while clinical trials continue in search of a vaccine specific to Bundibugyo. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the outbreak remains out of control and is likely to surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic, which caused over 11,000 deaths.

Violence and community resistance have further hindered containment efforts. On Saturday, a response team on the outskirts of Mambasa in Ituri province was attacked by youths armed with machetes while attempting to secure the body of an Ebola victim, forcing the team to retreat and leaving one member injured. Health workers have called for increased security to operate safely in the field. Meanwhile, mandatory management of Ebola victim burials by authorities has sparked protests from families, as traditional funeral practices carry risks of further disease transmission.

Government-imposed precautions aimed at curbing virus spread—including restricting public gatherings, enforcing social distancing, and implementing airport controls—have disrupted daily life across the six affected provinces. The outbreak has also intersected with ongoing rebel violence in Ituri, exacerbating the fragile situation. While some health and sanitary measures have been installed at key sites, advocacy groups emphasize the need for improved community engagement to build trust and cooperation.

Despite recent declaration of Uganda as Ebola-free, WHO cautions about the continued risk of cross-border transmission. In response to the ongoing threat, parents and teachers in Ituri have urged authorities to reconsider the planned reopening of schools on September 1. Many express concern that the virus still poses a significant danger, particularly to young children, who currently experience the highest fatality rate—approximately 60% among those under four years old. Fazila Rebecca, a teacher in Bunia, emphasized the risks involved in resuming classes amid persistent transmission, and the local teachers’ union has called for a thorough assessment of the outbreak before allowing students to return to classrooms.