Congo reports over 100 Ebola deaths as outbreak spreads

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in 102 confirmed deaths and 608 total cases across Congo and Uganda, with new infections continuing to rise primarily in the Ituri region. Containment remains challenging due to limited contact tracing, lack of a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, ongoing regional insecurity, and increasing international aid efforts totaling $18 million to support response measures.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is confronting a growing Ebola outbreak that has resulted in 102 confirmed deaths, health officials reported Tuesday. The total number of confirmed cases in both Congo and neighboring Uganda has reached 608, with 589 cases in the DRC and 19 in Uganda, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). While 45 new cases were recorded in Congo over the previous 24 hours, Uganda reported no new infections during the same period.

The current Ebola strain, identified as the Bundibugyo virus, poses significant challenges for containment efforts due to the absence of a vaccine or specific treatment. Health authorities note the virus is transmitted through close physical contact and exposure to infected bodily fluids. Despite the virulence, the outbreak’s mortality rate stands at just under 17%, markedly lower than in previous Ebola epidemics where fatality rates have sometimes exceeded 50%.

According to the Congolese Ministry of Information, 309 individuals infected with the virus remain hospitalized or in isolation, while 19 patients are showing signs of recovery. Efforts to halt transmission hinge largely on effective contact tracing, with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommending that 90% of identified contacts be monitored. Currently, only about 64% of contacts have been traced in the DRC, limiting the ability to fully contain the outbreak.

Geographically, the outbreak is concentrated in the Ituri region of northeastern Congo, an area already struggling with limited healthcare infrastructure. The situation is further complicated by ongoing insecurity fueled by armed militias active in the region, which hampers response teams' mobility and safety.

International support has increased in response to the outbreak. On Tuesday, the European Union announced an additional $18 million in aid to assist Congo’s Ebola response. This package includes $5 million designated for testing equipment and another $5 million to the WHO for enhanced disease surveillance and protective supplies. The remaining $6.5 million will fund an Africa CDC initiative to bolster frontline healthcare workers’ capacity.

Meanwhile, tensions related to Ebola control measures have surfaced outside the immediate outbreak zone. In Nanyuki, central Kenya, protests erupted against plans to establish an Ebola quarantine facility for U.S. citizens at a local air force base. Security forces responded with tear gas to disperse demonstrators, and reports from the Kenyan Human Rights Commission indicate that live ammunition was also used. Similar unrest occurred last week in the same locality, resulting in two fatalities.

As the outbreak continues to evolve, health authorities emphasize the critical need for enhanced surveillance, community cooperation, and international assistance to curb the spread of this deadly disease.