Ebola Spreads to Two New Health Zones in DR Congo, Affecting 60 Areas
Theo Al Jazeera English
The fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak in history has reached two new health zones in DR Congo's North Kivu province, affecting 60 areas total. With 5,794 cases and 2,786 deaths, the virus is outpacing response efforts, hampered by conflict and infrastructure gaps.
The fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak in history has spread to two new health zones in eastern DR Congo, bringing the total number of affected areas to 60, according to the latest government figures.
The two newly affected areas are Biena and Manguredjipa in North Kivu province. Data released by the Ministry of Health on Friday show that mortality rates in these zones are significantly higher than the overall average of 48 percent, partly due to delayed response efforts.
The ministry reported 5,794 infections, including 2,786 deaths. The outbreak is spreading at an unprecedented pace, outpacing surveillance and containment efforts.
Control efforts are hampered by armed conflict in affected provinces, population displacement, attacks on health workers and facilities, a highly mobile workforce, and a lack of critical infrastructure.
The outbreak is now projected to surpass the deadliest Ebola epidemic on record—the 2014–2016 West Africa pandemic that killed more than 11,000 people.
Meanwhile, the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Friday it opened a new treatment center in Beni, North Kivu, in the northeast, to accelerate the response in one of the hardest-hit areas.
Beni has recorded 122 cases and 87 deaths since the outbreak began in mid-May, with an Ebola case fatality rate of approximately 69 percent—among the highest in the country, according to latest government data.
Aid workers say a shortage of beds has been a key obstacle. The new center “allows for rapid treatment of patients, enhances contact tracing, and supports local authorities in their efforts to curb the spread of the virus,” MSF said in a statement.
No vaccine or treatment has been approved for this particular strain, known as Bundibugyo, which is rarer than the virus responsible for most previous outbreaks. This means responders must rely more on traditional methods such as contact tracing and patient isolation to control transmission.
MSF has 1,400 staff in DR Congo supporting the response and operates treatment centers with a total of 400 beds.
“Early diagnosis and treatment at the onset of first symptoms significantly increases the chances of survival, while reducing the risk of transmission within families and communities,” said MSF emergency coordinator Albert Stern.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Thursday that Ebola is spreading faster than containment efforts.
“The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo is the fastest-spreading ever recorded,” he wrote on social media platform X. “It is outpacing the response. We know how to contain Ebola and save lives. The world must act urgently to bring this outbreak under control.”
