The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s health authorities have announced that the Ebola epidemic gripping parts of the country has reached its highest point and is now receding. For the first time since the outbreak was declared in May, the daily number of new infections is falling, signalling a possible turning point in the fight against the Bundibugyo variant.
Outbreak Declared at Peak
Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba told reporters that the situation had improved markedly. “We were seeing roughly 120 new cases each day at the height of the wave; today that figure sits around 80,” he said. Kamba added that ten of the country’s sixty‑two health zones had gone more than twenty‑two days without recording a fresh infection, allowing six zones to be removed from the active list after surpassing the 42‑day benchmark and four others after clearing the 21‑day threshold.
The Sud‑Ubangi province, which borders Congo‑Brazzaville and the Central African Republic, became the sixth region to report the virus last week, underscoring the geographic spread of the disease despite the overall downturn. The outbreak was first announced on 15 May and has centred on Ituri province, where lingering armed conflict has hampered response efforts. It marks the seventeenth Ebola episode recorded in the DRC since the virus was identified in 1976.
Response and Vaccination Efforts
Although no specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain, the country has received more than 70 000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which is licensed for the more common Zaire Ebola virus. Clinical trials continue in the region, and health workers such as Dr Papy Mafuta, medical director of Katwa hospital, are seen washing their hands in chlorine solution after treating patients—a routine that has become emblematic of the infection‑control drive.
According to the latest ministry figures, confirmed infections have exceeded 7 200, with over 3 475 fatalities as of 14 September. The vaccination campaign, coupled with intensified contact tracing and safe burial practices, is credited with contributing to the decline in transmission.
Community Perspectives and Ongoing Challenges
Local voices remain cautious. Iracan Gratien de Saint‑Nicolas, MP for Bunia, warned against premature celebration, urging the government to publish objective data that justify claims of control. “Transparency will rebuild trust,” he stated, noting that key epidemiological indicators—such as a sustained drop in new cases over a week to three weeks, falling mortality, and high contact‑tracing rates—must be openly shared.
Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, echoed this sentiment after a visit to Bunia. He observed that 60‑70 % of deaths still occur in the community, and that the list of contacts continues to expand, suggesting that containment measures are not yet fully effective.
In the town of Rwampara, Léa Munyere, a 36‑year‑old mother of four, expressed relief at the announcement but also grief. Two of her close friends have succumbed to the disease, and she hopes the outbreak will soon be declared over so that life can return to normal. “It has taken away the people we cherish,” she said, “and we just want to move forward.”
Why it Matters
The announcement that the Ebola outbreak has peaked offers a glimmer of hope for a region battered by disease and instability, yet it also highlights the fragility of such gains. Sustained vigilance, transparent data sharing, and robust community engagement remain essential to prevent a resurgence and to build trust between health officials and the populations they serve. Without these elements, the hard‑won progress could quickly unravel, leaving vulnerable communities exposed once more.
