By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/ebola-outbreak-remains-out-of-control-in-congo-6-months-into-response Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Ebola outbreak remains out of control in Congo 6 months into response World Nov 15, 2026 4:07 PM EST BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Six months after an Ebola outbreak was declared in Congo, the disease remains out of control and efforts to contain it are faltering. More than 11,000 cases have been recorded, and nearly half of those infected have died, according to government data. It is the deadliest of Congo's 17 outbreaks and is on track to surpass the death toll from the West African outbreak that killed 11,000 people between 2014 and 2016. READ MORE: Congo's Ebola deaths top 5,000 as fear of continent-wide spread mounts Basic containment measures, including contact tracing and isolation, remain inadequate, raising doubts about authorities' ability to halt the outbreak. Experts say there is little chance of bringing it under control within the next year. By the time the outbreak was announced in mid-May, 43 deaths had already…
Ebola outbreak remains out of control in Congo 6 months into response
In short
The historic epidemic has already seen nearly half of its patients die, with children accounting for 35% of all fatalities. Around 80% of new infections continue to emerge outside official surveillance systems, while active clashes involving rebel groups like M23 and the Allied Democratic Forces directly endanger responders. Striking healthcare staff and attacks on clinics have further crippled care, leaving health officials doubtful of containment within the next twelve months.
Key points
- Pervasive violence in eastern provinces like North Kivu continues to leave medical facili…: Pervasive violence in eastern provinces like North Kivu continues to leave medical facilities and responders vulnerable to fatal attacks.
- Surveillance gaps remain severe because an estimated 80 percent of newly infected individ…: Surveillance gaps remain severe because an estimated 80 percent of newly infected individuals are discovered outside established health tracking systems.
- Unpaid healthcare workers have repeatedly launched strikes, abandoning patient treatments…: Unpaid healthcare workers have repeatedly launched strikes, abandoning patient treatments amidst ongoing contact tracing failures.