DR Congo Ebola death toll tops 400 amid outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Health Ministry said on Thursday that the Ebola death toll has climbed above 400 after nearly 40 fatalities were recorded in a single day, with confirmed cases reaching 1,406 since the outbreak was declared on May 15.

Outbreak reaches new health zones

The outbreak has spread across 34 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, with authorities confirming that Lolwa has become the 24th affected zone in Ituri province — the current epicenter of the crisis. At least 192 people have recovered from the virus, while 609 patients remain in isolation or under hospitalization, according to the ministry's latest situation update.

The Health Ministry identified the Ebola Bundibugyo strain as the circulating variant, noting that the current case fatality rate stands at 31.2 percent among confirmed infections. The World Health Organization has warned that this figure likely represents an underestimation, as many deaths that occurred before the May 15 declaration remain under investigation.

Violence complicates response

Violence erupted on Tuesday in the Nia-Nia health zone of Mambasa territory when local residents refused to hand over the body of a man suspected to have died from Ebola, resulting in the deaths of two people including a police officer and the burning of a treatment center, local media said. Health authorities said insecurity, population movement and community resistance are primary obstacles undermining the response.

The incident highlights the dangerous conditions facing health workers attempting to enforce safe burial protocols amid cultural resistance and regional instability. Security concerns continue to pressure health facilities struggling to contain the virus across the affected eastern provinces.

International mobilization

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi announced a $319 million Ebola response plan earlier this week as donors and partners pledged $910 million to support containment efforts in Congo and neighboring Uganda. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 20 cases in Uganda, according to health officials, while the WHO continues to investigate pre-declaration fatalities.