DR Congo Ebola outbreak: Africa CDC warns it's too early to call it controlled
Synopsis
Africa CDC is refusing to declare victory over the DRC's record-breaking Ebola outbreak — and for good reason. With 3,039 deaths, a 48.6% fatality rate, and over 60% of recent deaths happening outside treatment centres, the virus is still outrunning the response in 51 of 60 affected health zones. This is now the world's second-deadliest Ebola epidemic ever.
Key Takeaways
Africa CDC said on 4 September it is too early to declare the DRC Ebola outbreak under control.
The DRC has recorded 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 deaths as of 1 September , with a case fatality rate of 48.6 per cent .
Transmission remains active in 51 of 60 affected health zones across six provinces .
More than 60 per cent of deaths in the past seven days occurred in communities, signalling detection and care-access failures.
Ituri province is the epicentre, accounting for 81.9 per cent of all confirmed cases.
This is the second-largest Ebola epidemic globally , behind the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Thursday, 4 September that it is too early to declare the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) under control, even as some indicators point to a tentative stabilisation over recent weeks. The outbreak, declared in May, has already become the country's largest and deadliest Ebola epidemic on record.
Current Scale of the Outbreak
According to the latest government situation report, the DRC had recorded 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 deaths as of 1 September, with a case fatality rate of 48.6 per cent. A total of 1,439 patients have recovered, while 830 remain in isolation or Ebola treatment centres. The outbreak has spread across 60 health zones in six provinces.
Where Transmission Stands
Wessam Mankoula, an Africa CDC official, told an online press briefing that transmission remains active in 51 health zones. Four health zones have interrupted transmission after reporting no new cases for more than 42 days, while another five have gone between 21 and 42 days without a new case. 'For the last two weeks, we are seeing a decline in the number of cases,' Mankoula said, but cautioned that 'it's very early to say we have a sustained decline in this outbreak.'
Community Deaths Signal Detection Gaps
Mankoula also flagged a critical warning sign: more than 60 per cent of deaths recorded over the past seven days occurred in communities rather than in treatment facilities. This points to continued delays in detection and persistent challenges in accessing medical care — conditions that historically allow Ebola to spread undetected before health workers can isolate cases.
Geographic Epicentre and Global Context
The province of Ituri remains the epicentre, accounting for 81.9 per cent of all confirmed cases nationwide. The outbreak has also affected North Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, South Kivu, and Bas-Uele. Globally, this is now the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record, surpassed only by the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak. The United Nations (UN) has warned that the virus is spreading faster than response efforts can contain it.
What Comes Next
Africa CDC's measured stance reflects hard lessons from past outbreaks, where premature declarations of control were followed by resurgences. With more than half of all affected health zones still reporting active transmission and community deaths rising as a share of the total toll, the path to containment remains uncertain. International response coordination and community-level detection will be critical in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Not treatment centres, is the most alarming signal in this update: it means the surveillance net is still failing to catch cases before they become fatal. With 51 of 60 health zones still transmitting, a two-week case decline is a data point, not a trend. The DRC has seen Ebola declared over before — only to watch it reignite. Until community deaths fall sharply and health zones consistently hit the 42-day zero-case threshold, any talk of control is premature.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DR Congo Ebola outbreak under control?
No. Africa CDC said on 4 September that it is too early to declare the outbreak under control, despite a two-week decline in case numbers. Transmission remains active in 51 of 60 affected health zones.
How many people have died in the DRC Ebola outbreak?
As of 1 September, the DRC had recorded 3,039 deaths from 6,250 confirmed cases, with a case fatality rate of 48.6 per cent. The death toll has crossed 3,000, making this the country's deadliest Ebola epidemic on record.
Which province is the epicentre of the DRC Ebola outbreak?
Ituri province is the epicentre, accounting for 81.9 per cent of all confirmed cases nationwide. The outbreak has also spread to North Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, South Kivu, and Bas-Uele.
How does this outbreak compare to previous Ebola epidemics?
This is the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak in DRC history, and the second-largest globally. Only the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic, which killed over 11,000 people, was larger in scale.
Why are so many Ebola deaths occurring in communities rather than treatment centres?
Africa CDC official Wessam Mankoula noted that more than 60 per cent of deaths in the past seven days occurred outside treatment facilities, pointing to delays in detection and barriers to seeking medical care — both key drivers of unchecked community transmission.
