Ebola Death Toll in DR Congo Surpasses 1,400 as Outbreak Intensifies
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a rapidly worsening Ebola outbreak, with the death toll surpassing 1,400 as health officials race to contain the spread of the deadly virus across multiple provinces.
According to the country’s Health Ministry, 3,200 infections have been confirmed since the nation’s 17th Ebola outbreak was declared in mid-May. The latest figures include 1,405 deaths, underscoring the severity of the public health emergency.
Authorities reported that, as of 25 July, 773 patients remained in hospital or isolation facilities, while 571 people had recovered from the disease. Health teams continue to carry out surveillance, laboratory testing, patient care and contact tracing in an effort to curb further transmission.
The outbreak has spread across five provinces — Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tshopo — raising concerns that it could become one of the country’s largest Ebola epidemics on record.
Current case numbers are approaching those of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 10th Ebola outbreak, which occurred between August 2018 and June 2020 in North Kivu and Ituri. That epidemic resulted in 3,470 confirmed cases and 2,287 deaths, making it the country’s most severe outbreak to date.
In response to the escalating crisis, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director General Jean Kaseya said emergency measures had been agreed with Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa to strengthen disease surveillance, protect frontline healthcare workers and address critical operational challenges.
Kaseya has also renewed his appeal to African governments and international partners to mobilise at least $1.4 billion to support Ebola response efforts across the continent, warning that funding requirements have increased significantly as the outbreak continues to expand.
Health authorities say intensified international cooperation and sustained public health measures will be essential to bringing the outbreak under control and preventing further loss of life.
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