Ebola cases in Congo surpass 1,000 with 254 people dead, authorities say

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has now surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases, with officials reporting 254 deaths as of Sunday evening.

Congo’s Ministry of Health confirmed 1,003 cases and 100 recoveries since the epidemic was declared on 15 May in Ituri province.

Caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which no vaccines or treatments exist, this outbreak was the worst ever in its initial month. Officials admit more cases are likely unknown, and the peak is still ahead.

Contact tracing remains a key issue, with local authorities achieving only 55 per cent coverage.

The outbreak’s patient zero is yet to be identified, and over 35,000 contacts still require tracing, authorities confirmed.

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Source: The Independent, 22 June 2026