The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has expanded to Haut-Uele province, marking the fourth region affected by the current viral haemorrhagic fever crisis. According to an update from the DRC, the country has recorded 1,307 confirmed cases and 377 deaths as of June 30, 2026.
How did the virus reach Haut-Uele?
Health officials identified the transmission point after an infected individual traveled from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, to Haut-Uele. According to a health source cited by AFP, that individual has since died. The spread into Haut-Uele, which shares borders with South Sudan and the Central African Republic, means the entire northeastern region of the DRC—an area home to approximately 15 million people—is now considered affected by the outbreak.
The current crisis is the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Why is the outbreak difficult to contain?
Containment efforts face significant hurdles due to local mistrust and the nature of traditional funeral practices. According to Al Jazeera’s Catherine Wambua-Soi, who reported from a treatment centre in Rwampara, community members often continue to touch the bodies of deceased relatives during multi-day funeral services. Because the bodies of Ebola victims are highly infectious, this practice acts as a primary vector for transmission.
Aid workers are struggling to implement safe burial protocols. Resistance has occasionally turned violent; last month, an angry mob set fire to tents at a treatment facility. Reporting from the ground, Wambua-Soi noted that health workers are operating with insufficient supplies, including a lack of protective gear, rapid test kits, and body bags.
What measures has the government taken?
On Saturday, the DRC government announced a ban on public gatherings across four provinces, including the capital, Kinshasa. While health authorities frame the measure as a necessary step to curb the spread of the virus, the timing has drawn criticism. Opposition figures have labeled the ban “politically motivated,” as it coincides with a planned protest against constitutional reform scheduled for July 8.
Pro-Tip: Monitoring Transmission Chains
Public health authorities emphasize that contact tracing is the most effective method for stopping the viral spread. By identifying everyone who has been in contact with an infected person, teams can isolate potential cases before they trigger new chains of infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which provinces are currently affected by the Ebola outbreak?
As of late June 2026, confirmed cases have been recorded in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Haut-Uele. - How many deaths have been attributed to this outbreak?
The DRC government has confirmed 377 deaths associated with the current outbreak. - Why are aid workers facing resistance?
According to reports, local communities often harbor mistrust toward health workers, leading to incidents where treatment centers have been targeted by mobs.
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