Congo Sees Surge in Ebola Cases Amid Ongoing Outbreak

WHO:

NPR - Dr. Patient Mazirane, director of Clinique Universelle hospital, expressed a desire to leave the medical profession due to fears for his children's future.

NPR - Eliezer Kasongo, a community volunteer in Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

NPR - Patient Mazirane, director of Clinique Universelle hospital in Bunia.

WHAT:

NPR - The Ebola outbreak has resulted in over 170 deaths, according to BBC News.

ABC News - Congolese authorities reported a record one-day increase in Ebola cases, with 72 new cases confirmed.

NPR - Health officials indicated that the number of confirmed Ebola cases in eastern Congo is now 782, with 181 confirmed deaths, which they believe to be an underestimate due to testing delays and unnoticed deaths.

ABC News - Congolese authorities reported 72 new Ebola cases in one day.

NPR - There are 782 confirmed Ebola cases in eastern Congo as of June 13, with 181 confirmed deaths.

NPR - Bunia has the largest number of cases at 212 according to official figures.

NPR - Only 56% of contacts have been traced across the three Congolese provinces with active Ebola transmission.

NPR - A patient at Clinique Universelle tested positive for Ebola, leading to the hospital's shutdown.

WHERE:

NPR - Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

NPR - The outbreak is centered in a remote mining town called Mongbwalu.

WHEN:

NPR - The Ebola outbreak was officially declared on May 15.

NPR - The hospital director mentioned that several medical workers had already died.

WHY:

NPR - The Ebola virus had likely been circulating for weeks before the official declaration.

NPR - The health system in Ituri is severely underfunded and strained due to decades of armed conflict.

HOW:

NPR - A decontamination team spent the weekend scrubbing walls with chlorine solution at Clinique Universelle hospital after a patient tested positive for Ebola, leading to the hospital's shutdown.

NPR - Community volunteers like Eliezer Kasongo are going door to door to raise awareness about Ebola.

NPR - Aid organizations have airlifted hundreds of metric tons of medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE) to Ituri.

(UPDATED June 16, 2026 04:21 UTC)

Dr. Patient Mazirane, the director of Clinique Universelle hospital, has expressed a desire to leave the medical profession due to concerns for his children's future amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak, which has resulted in over 170 deaths. In response to a recent positive Ebola case, a decontamination team spent the weekend scrubbing the hospital's walls with chlorine solution, leading to the facility's temporary shutdown. The situation highlights the severe impact of the outbreak on healthcare professionals and the communities they serve.

(UPDATED June 15, 2026 20:09 UTC)

Congolese authorities have reported a record one-day increase in Ebola cases, confirming 72 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in eastern Congo to 782. Health officials also noted that there have been 181 confirmed deaths, although they believe this number is likely an underestimate due to testing delays and unnoticed fatalities. In response to the outbreak, a decontamination team spent the weekend cleaning walls with chlorine solution at Clinique Universelle hospital, which has been shut down after a patient tested positive for the virus.

(UPDATED June 15, 2026 15:01 UTC)

In Bunia, the capital of Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities have reported a concerning surge in Ebola cases, with 72 new infections confirmed in just one day, bringing the total to 782 cases and 181 deaths. The outbreak, which was officially declared on May 15, has led to the shutdown of Clinique Universelle after a patient tested positive, while only 56% of contacts have been traced across the affected provinces. Community volunteers like Eliezer Kasongo are actively raising awareness about the virus, and aid organizations have airlifted hundreds of metric tons of medicines and personal protective equipment to support the struggling health system.