Ebola cases in DRC reach 1,759 with 600 deaths as virus spreads to Uganda

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded 1,759 Ebola cases and 600 deaths as of 8 July, according to government data. The virus has also appeared in Uganda, where officials report 20 confirmed cases and two deaths. The outbreak began in May in Ituri province and has since moved into North Kivu and South Kivu. Suspected cases have now been noted in Tshopo and Haut-Uele provinces as well.

Conflict and access limits Armed groups operate across the three affected provinces, and officials say this restricts coordination of medical teams and information sharing. An assessment earlier this year counted 3.3 million displaced people living in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

DRC fell sharply in 2025 after the Trump administration froze foreign aid programs. More than 10 organizations have reduced or suspended activities, weakening local surveillance networks.

Attacks on responders Ten Red Cross volunteers have been attacked during the current outbreak, with four injured. Most incidents occurred during safe-burial operations and were linked to rumors about the disease. Wessam Mankoula, head of emergency preparedness at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters the outbreak is the fastest-growing of any Ebola variant recorded so far.