The Ebola epidemic in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remains massive and deadly, United Nations officials warned on September 15, 2026, cautioning that it will take many months to bring the outbreak under control despite pockets of progress. According to U.N. special Ebola coordinator Julien Harneis, the crisis is the second most lethal on record behind the 2014–2016 West African outbreak, with government figures confirming 7,258 cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces.
UN Officials Warn Epidemic Remains Massive
Speaking at a Geneva press briefing on September 15, 2026, U.N. special Ebola coordinator Julien Harneis stated that while response efforts are yielding results in certain areas, the wider epidemic continues to grow. According to Harneis, the vast scale of the outbreak means conditions vary significantly by location. Olivier le Polain, head of epidemiology and analytics for response at the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, addressed reports that the epidemic had reached a turning point by stating that it is too early to confidently declare a peak, adding that controlling the outbreak fully will require significant support and many months.
Congo Health Minister Points to Encouraging Signs
Congo Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba offered a more optimistic assessment on Saturday, reporting encouraging signs in the fight against the virus since a mid-August peak. According to Kamba, daily new cases dropped from approximately 120 at the height of the epidemic to around 80, and 10 of the 62 affected health zones recorded no new cases for more than 22 days. Jean-Jacques Muyembe, director of Congo’s National Institute for Biomedical Research, noted during a visit to Ituri province on September 15, 2026, that indicators in the region have turned green and response teams have the situation under control, expressing hope that the epidemic will be behind them by the close of the year.
Alarming Conditions Persist in North Kivu
While parts of Ituri province show demonstrable improvement, public health officials describe the situation in North Kivu as alarming due to complex security challenges, high population density, and high mobility. According to Medecins Sans Frontieres public health specialist Thomas Paerisch, transmission rates remain high in North Kivu, particularly in the city of Butembo. Government figures show North Kivu has recorded a cumulative total of 1,269 confirmed cases, which includes 555 cases reported in the 21 days leading up to September 12, 2026.