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Congo Calls Ebola Outbreak Under Control Despite Ongoing Risks
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing a large Ebola outbreak.
The government says the outbreak has passed its highest point and is now under control.
Some areas have had no new cases for at least 21 days.
However, Ebola is still spreading in other places.
The disease recently reached a seventh province called Sud-Ubangi.
The World Health Organization says the outbreak is not declining evenly everywhere.
A former health minister also warned that hidden infections could mean the situation is worse than reported.
By September 10, more than 7,000 confirmed cases and 3,000 deaths had been recorded.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo government says its 17th Ebola outbreak is under control and peaked in the third week of August 2026.
Officials report declining case indicators, while transmission has slowed in parts of Ituri province.
The outbreak has spread to Sud-Ubangi, making seven affected provinces, despite the province not bordering previous affected areas.
The World Health Organization says transmission remains uncontrolled, uneven, and is intensifying or spreading in some locations.
By September 10, the DRC had recorded 7,022 confirmed cases and 3,398 deaths across 62 health zones.
- Who
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo government, the World Health Organization, and former Health Minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani Mbanda are assessing the outbreak.
- What
- The DRC says its Ebola outbreak is under control, while the WHO and Mbungani Mbanda warn that transmission remains uncontrolled in some areas.
- Where
- The outbreak has affected 62 health zones across seven DRC provinces, including Ituri and newly affected Sud-Ubangi.
- When
- The government said the peak occurred in the third week of August 2026; figures cited were current as of September 10.
- Why
- The government cites declining indicators and slowed transmission, while continued spread, flare-ups, and possible unidentified infections prompt calls for caution.
Government Assessment
Caution From WHO and Critics
Whether the outbreak is under control
Government Assessment
The DRC government says the 17th Ebola outbreak is under control and that its peak was reached in the third week of August 2026.
Caution From WHO and Critics
The World Health Organization says the outbreak remains uncontrolled, while former Health Minister Jean-Jacques Mbungani Mbanda says declining trends in some areas do not prove transmission is controlled everywhere.
Meaning of declining cases
Government Assessment
Officials point to declining indicators and say 10 previously affected health zones recorded no new cases for at least 21 days.
Caution From WHO and Critics
The WHO says transmission is easing in some areas but intensifying or spreading geographically elsewhere, and Mbungani Mbanda warns that different transmission centers may peak at different times.
Reliability of the current picture
Government Assessment
The government urges continued vigilance and strict contact tracing while reporting progress in affected regions.
Caution From WHO and Critics
Mbungani Mbanda says the epidemic curve reflects detected cases and may not capture infections that remain unidentified in communities.
Key facts
- Outbreak status
- The DRC government says the outbreak is under control and passed its peak.
- WHO assessment
- The World Health Organization says the outbreak remains uncontrolled and increasingly geographically heterogeneous.
- Confirmed cases
- 7,022 as of September 10.
- Deaths
- 3,398 as of September 10.
- Case fatality rate
- 48.4 percent.
- Geographic spread
- 62 health zones across seven provinces.
- Newly affected province
- Sud-Ubangi reported the first confirmed case there, becoming the seventh affected province.
Quotes
World Health Organization
International public health organization reporting on the outbreak
“The outbreak is increasingly geographically heterogeneous rather than showing a uniform decline.”
thehansindia.com
“remains uncontrolled and increasingly heterogeneous”
thehansindia.com
Patrick Muyaya
Government spokesperson who read a cabinet report citing the health minister
“The 17th Ebola outbreak is under control, and the peak was reached at the beginning of the third week of August 2026”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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