Congo’s Ebola outbreak spreads to new health zone

Reuters

Congo’s Ebola outbreak spreads to new health zone

Reuters
1 min read

A Congolese medical worker walks at the Centre Medical Evangelique (CME) within the secured Ebola response zone, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain, in Hoho commune of Bunia town, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 9, 2026. REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere

DAKAR, June 10 (Reuters) – Congo’s Ebola outbreak has spread to a new health zone in the northeastern ‌province of Ituri, authorities said on Wednesday, as ‌fresh infections underline sustained transmission more than three weeks after the epidemic was ​declared.

The health ministry said Tchomia, about 50 kilometres south of the provincial capital Bunia on the shores of Lake Albert, has become the latest affected health zone, bringing the total number ‌of affected zones ⁠to 26 nationwide and 18 in Ituri province, which accounts for more than 94% of confirmed ⁠cases.

A health zone in Congo’s healthcare system covers a defined area with a network of clinics and a referral hospital.

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The ​government’s latest ​situation report said 37 ​new confirmed cases, including 12 ‌deaths, were reported in the previous 24 hours, all in Ituri.

The outbreak has so far recorded 635 confirmed cases and 127 deaths across three eastern provinces.

The epidemic, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there ‌is no approved vaccine or ​specific treatment, was declared on May ​15. It has since ​spread across Ituri, North Kivu and South ‌Kivu, regions marked by insecurity, displacement ​and cross-border ​movement.

Eight patients were newly declared recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 30, while treatment activities have ​been launched at ‌Ebola centres in Bunia and Rwampara, the report said.

(Reporting ​by Clement Bonnerot and Congo newsroom; Editing by ​Robbie Corey-Boulet and Deepa Babington)