Congo’s Ebola outbreak reaches new health zone as cases continue to rise

Congo’s Ebola outbreak has expanded into a new health zone in the northeastern province of Ituri, authorities said on Wednesday, highlighting continued transmission more than three weeks after the epidemic was officially declared.

The health ministry reported that Tchomia, located about 50 kilometers south of the provincial capital Bunia on the shores of Lake Albert, is the latest area to record infections. The development brings the total number of affected health zones nationwide to 26, including 18 in Ituri, which accounts for more than 94% of all confirmed cases.

Under Congo’s healthcare system, a health zone is a defined administrative area served by a network of clinics and a referral hospital.

According to the government’s latest situation report, 37 new confirmed cases and 12 deaths were recorded in the previous 24 hours, all within Ituri province.

Since the outbreak was declared on May 15, a total of 635 confirmed cases and 127 deaths have been reported across the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. The epidemic is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or targeted treatment currently exists.

Health officials said eight additional patients have recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 30. Treatment operations are also underway at Ebola care centers in Bunia and Rwampara as authorities work to contain the spread of the virus in a region challenged by insecurity, displacement and frequent cross-border movement.