The Ebola epidemic raging in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is progressing in a "« exponential »"in North Kivu, while signs of improvement are being observed in other provinces, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated on Tuesday.
On Saturday, the Congolese government announced that the peak of the epidemic had been reached in mid-August, and that the "« parameters indicated a decrease in the number of cases »"at the national level for this extremely deadly disease which has already killed, before the current episode in the DRC, more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past 50 years.
But according to the WHO, the epidemiological situation remains heterogeneous.« National trends do not reflect trends at the provincial or local level.«" Olivier le Polain, head of the Epidemiology and Analysis for Interventions unit at the WHO, stressed to the press in Geneva.
For example, he pointed out, "« We have trends that are increasing significantly, exponentially, in North Kivu.“.
“An intense and geographically widespread transmission“
In this region, "« The number of weekly deaths has almost doubled in the last two weeks, rising from around 100 new cases per week to over 200.«" he stressed, specifying that the province now accounted for approximately 45% of the total cases reported last week.
“ Overall, virus transmission (…) remains intense and geographically widespread«" added Mr. Le Polain, stating that as of September 12, "« The country has reported 7,200 cases and 3,475 deaths spread across (…) now seven provinces“.
He also noted« some early signs of reduced transmission »"in certain areas of Ituri province, the epicenter of the epidemic declared in mid-May where"« the proportion of cases decreases over time“.
He also detailed that no confirmed cases have been detected in South Kivu since the end of May, a recent case was reported in South Ubangi and three cases in Bas-Uélé, and Tshopo is reporting cases.« sporadic, mainly imported »"and Haut-Uélé shows local transmission"« more established«", with approximately 30 to 40 new cases per week.
Read alsoThe Ebola epidemic in the DRC is "progressing exponentially," warns the UN.
«"Multiple homes"»
A healthcare worker in protective suits in the red zone of the Ebola treatment center at the Rwampara General Referral Hospital in Ituri province, DRC, on June 12, 2026 (Credit: AFP/Archives – Jospin Mwisha)
“ These indicators do not yet show the level of improvement we would like to see.«"However, the official added, explaining that« The new case detected last week in the province of South Ubangi serves as a reminder of the risk of the epidemic spreading geographically, in a context of very high population mobility.“.
“ The epidemic is so widespread that it is difficult to speak of a single epidemic; rather, it consists of multiple and distinct outbreaks, and we will need to implement a tailored response in each of these locations.«", stressed Julien Harneis, senior Ebola coordinator for the United Nations.
5000 healthcare workers needed
While praising local and international cooperation, Mr. Harneis called for more funding for the epidemic response, as well as for humanitarian intervention. However, « the latter is only financed up to 49%», he warned.
“ With Ebola, we can't let our guard down. If we do, the epidemic will hit us hard. We therefore need resources now to slow it down and bring it to an end.«" he urged.
Last week, the WHO estimated that 5,000 additional healthcare workers were needed to deal with the epidemic.
Several treatments and vaccines are being tested against the Bundibugyo virus, which is causing the current outbreak, against which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.
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