Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported 1,561 confirmed cases of Ebola and 506 deaths as of 4 July, according to the government and the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, 254 people have recovered, while more than 10,000 contacts are being monitored in the outbreak area. The outbreak’s full scope is not yet fully known, and WHO’s representative to the DRC, Dr. Anne Ancia, stated that the situation remains unstable.
Treatment centers in affected provinces such as Bunia, Beni, Butembo, and Katwa are at maximum capacity, and ambulances are insufficient for all response needs. Dr. Ancia highlighted the dedication of frontline health workers despite these challenges, but noted the health system is stretched. The outbreak, declared on 15 May, is unfolding amid active conflict, displacement, and limited health services.
There have been improvements: daily Ebola testing capacity in the capital Kinshasa has increased from 30 to over 2,000 tests, made possible by 10 decentralized laboratories now operating in the affected provinces. The latest of these labs was opened in Bunia. On 2 July, a clinical trial began to evaluate two therapies—MBP134, a monoclonal antibody, and the antiviral remdesivir—administered alone or together. The trial aims to find effective treatments for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which currently has no approved cure. More than 1,200 treatment doses are available, with further therapies potentially added as evidence emerges.
The security situation remains unstable, as violent clashes between DRC forces and armed militias continue in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces, complicating outbreak response and containment.