DRC Ebola Outbreak Hits 1,561 Cases and 506 Deaths as of July 4

The Bundibugyo species of Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded 1,561 confirmed cases, 506 deaths and 254 recoveries as of 4 July 2026, according to government figures. More than 10,000 contacts remain under monitoring. The outbreak was declared on 15 May 2026.

Daily testing capacity has increased from 30 tests in Kinshasa to more than 2,000 through ten decentralised laboratories established in affected provinces, with the most recent facility opened in Bunia. A clinical trial evaluating the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral remdesivir began on 2 July. More than 1,200 treatment doses are available for the study.

Treatment centres in Bunia, Beni, Butembo and Katwa operate at saturation point. Ituri province lacks sufficient ambulances to meet demand. The security situation remains highly unstable amid violent clashes between DRC forces and armed militias across North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces.

In late June, James Swan, head of MONUSCO, told the UN Security Council that heavy fighting continued between AFC/M23, supported by Rwandan forces, and FARDC allied with Wazalendo. Rwanda has consistently denied the allegations of support. High numbers of daily Ebola alerts continue to be investigated in areas of North Kivu controlled by de facto authorities.

Information received by Dr. Anne Ancia, WHO representative to the DRC, indicates no confirmed cases remain in zones under M23 control and all contact cases have been released. Dr. Ancia stated that the true scale of the outbreak has not yet been fully established.