By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
DRC July 6, 2026 - The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed more than 500 lives, with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning that the virus continues to spread through communities and that the full scale of the crisis is yet to be determined.
Latest figures released by the DRC's Ministry of Health show the country has recorded 1,561 confirmed Ebola cases, including 506 deaths, since the outbreak was declared on 15 May. Another 254 patients have recovered, while 628 confirmed cases remain in isolation or hospital care.
Health authorities have also identified 354 suspected cases, including 110 deaths.
The outbreak has now spread across 36 health zones in three provinces, with weekly infections continuing to climb. According to health officials, epidemiological weeks 25 and 26 each recorded more than 300 confirmed cases, the highest weekly totals since the outbreak began, signalling sustained community transmission.
"We would like to say it is stabilising, but frankly, we cannot say it yet," said Dr Anne Ancia, WHO's representative in the DRC.
Speaking from Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, Dr Ancia said health facilities are struggling to cope with the growing number of patients.
"Treatment centres are at saturation point," she said after visiting Ebola treatment facilities in Bunia, Beni, Butembo and Katwa.
She praised frontline health workers for continuing to respond despite difficult conditions.
"I witnessed firsthand the dedication of staff who continue to serve their communities despite enormous challenges," she said.
The current outbreak is centred in Ituri Province but has unfolded in regions affected by armed conflict, mass displacement and overstretched healthcare systems, complicating efforts to contain the virus.
WHO also warned that shortages of ambulances and medical resources continue to hamper the response.
"Today, we do not have enough ambulances," Dr Ancia said, adding that not all healthcare needs in the affected areas can currently be met.
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Amid the worsening outbreak, health officials have launched a clinical trial aimed at identifying an effective treatment for Bundibugyo ebolavirus, the strain responsible for the current outbreak.
There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain.
The trial, which began on 2 July at the CME Ebola Treatment Centre in Rwampara Health Zone, will evaluate two promising therapies — the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir.
"These drugs will be administered alone or in combination to assess their potential to improve survival among people with the Bundibugyo virus disease," Dr Ancia said.
WHO said more than 1,200 treatment doses are already available, with additional therapies expected to be incorporated into the trial as new evidence emerges.
The agency has also significantly expanded laboratory capacity, increasing daily testing from 30 samples in Kinshasa at the start of the outbreak to more than 2,000 tests a day through ten decentralised laboratories across affected provinces.
Health officials are monitoring more than 10,000 contacts as part of efforts to break chains of transmission.
WHO said it continues to work with the Congolese government to trace every confirmed case and isolate contacts before they can spread the virus further.
Despite progress in testing and surveillance, the agency cautioned that insecurity caused by ongoing fighting in eastern DRC continues to hinder response efforts.
With infections still rising and treatment centres under pressure, WHO says sustained surveillance, community engagement and continued international support will be critical to containing one of the country's deadliest Ebola outbreaks in recent years.