Ebola death toll rises in DR Congo as violence disrupts healthcare response

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed 930 lives from 2,344 confirmed and probable cases, according to the Ministry of Health. Health officials reported 37 deaths in the 24 hours from Friday to Saturday, one of the highest daily increases recorded during the outbreak, reflecting the continued acceleration of one of the country’s most challenging public health emergencies.

Efforts to contain the outbreak have been hampered by ongoing insecurity in the eastern province of Ituri. Authorities report at least 12 attacks on healthcare facilities and Ebola response teams since the outbreak began, restricting access to affected communities. The response has also been weakened by staffing shortages, industrial action over unpaid wages, and the deaths of at least 36 healthcare workers infected while treating patients.

Despite these obstacles, more than 700 patients remain in treatment or isolation, while health authorities continue surveillance, contact tracing, and community engagement. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned that transmission is outpacing response efforts, stressing that delays in reaching affected populations increase the risk of further spread.

The outbreak has also prompted international research efforts. Scientists at the University of Oxford are preparing a Phase I clinical trial of a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no licensed vaccine or specific treatment currently exists.