DR Congo Ebola cases rise to 1,759 as death toll reaches 600

DR Congo Ebola cases rise to 1,759 as death toll reaches 600
Red Cross workers handle the coffin of a man who died of Ebola virus before his burial, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak, DR Congo, 10 June 2026.
Reuters

The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has climbed to 1,759, including 600 deaths, according to government data released on Wednesday.

The latest situation report recorded 51 new cases and 20 additional deaths in the previous 24 hours, highlighting the continued spread of the outbreak.

The epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, is already among the largest Ebola outbreaks recorded in the country.

Health officials and the World Health Organization (WHO) have warned that the outbreak remains in an expansion phase, with population movements and limited healthcare capacity complicating efforts to contain transmission.

The outbreak was declared in May and has primarily affected the northeastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu in the African country.

WHO officials have said treatment centres in some affected areas are nearing capacity, while healthcare workers continue to face shortages of protective equipment and other resources. 

The Bundibugyo strain has posed particular challenges because there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the virus, although clinical trials of potential therapies are underway. 

The WHO and international health agencies continue to support Congolese authorities with surveillance, contact tracing, treatment and community awareness campaigns as they seek to bring the outbreak under control

Tags