Confirmed Ebola cases in eastern Congo have now exceeded 1,003, including 254 fatalities. The outbreak is focused in the Ituri province, with contact tracing posing significant challenges. Congo’s Ministry of Health reports that 100 individuals have recovered since the outbreak was declared on May 15. Currently, 365 patients are either hospitalized or in isolation. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has no available vaccines or treatment options and is regarded as the worst in its first month.
Officials express concerns about potential undiagnosed cases, fearing the peak is yet to come. Contact tracing remains ineffective, achieving only a 55% coverage, as stated by the ministry. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noted the importance of identifying the index case to control the outbreak.
Identifying patient zero remains elusive. Over 35,000 contacts of the infected remain untraced due to ongoing conflicts in eastern Congo. Rebel violence in Ituri, particularly attacks by the ISIS-backed Allied Democratic Force, hampers access to numerous villages. This conflict results in people fleeing to overcrowded camps or continuously relocating for safety.
A photo taken on June 19, 2026, shows a view of a displacement camp near Bunia, capital of Ituri. Image: Xinhua via Getty Images
In Bunia’s Kigonze displacement camp, officials reported 10 unusual deaths last week among over 20,000 displaced people, sparking fears of an outbreak. Although no Ebola cases have been confirmed at Kigonze, the death rate is unprecedented, prompting calls for investigation.
The U.N. refugee agency reports that over 2 million displaced people in Congo face Ebola risks. This includes 320,000 refugees. The agency expressed concerns over the virus’s rapid spread and its impact on vulnerable displaced populations. Charité Banza, an Ituri civil leader, stated that a disease outbreak among the camp’s thousands would be catastrophic given the precarious living conditions.
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