The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has expanded to two additional provinces — Tshopo and Haut-Uele — as the epidemic remains in a 'very active' phase, Health Minister Roger Kamba confirmed on Thursday, 9 July. The disclosure came during Kamba's visit to Bunia, the provincial capital of Ituri, which continues to serve as the epicentre of the outbreak.

How the Outbreak Has Spread

Health authorities have tracked patients moving from outbreak zones toward Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo Province, and the Wamba area in Haut-Uele Province — developments that have drawn both regions into the formal outbreak response perimeter. Ituri Province remains in an acute growth phase, while North Kivu Province is also recording an active rise in cases.

Minister Kamba cautioned that high population density, strong inter-regional mobility, and local factors complicating community engagement make it currently impossible to project when the outbreak will reach its peak. 'We are still in an active, even very active, phase of the disease,' he said during a health ministry video address released Thursday.

Key Numbers: Deaths, Cases, and Bed Occupancy

The death toll from the current DRC Ebola outbreak has reached 600, with 1,759 confirmed cases reported, according to the country's health authorities. A total of 750 patients are currently in isolation or hospitalisation, with an overall bed occupancy rate of 94 per cent — a figure that signals severe pressure on treatment infrastructure, based on an update released late Wednesday.

One Province Nearing End of Outbreak

South Kivu Province offers a rare note of cautious optimism: authorities indicated the outbreak could soon be declared over there, as the province has reported no new cases since 26 May, according to a situation report released Wednesday. This marks the first province to approach the threshold for a formal end-of-outbreak declaration in the current wave.

Response Measures and What Comes Next

Kamba underscored the urgent need to strengthen surveillance at entry points and checkpoints across affected provinces, and to limit high-risk population movements as much as possible. The geographic expansion to Tshopo and Haut-Uele complicates containment, as both provinces border areas with significant cross-border movement. This is not the DRC's first encounter with Ebola — the country has faced multiple outbreaks over decades, making institutional fatigue and community trust persistent challenges for responders. With bed occupancy at 94 per cent and the peak still undetermined, the coming weeks will be critical for the national response.