Ebola Surge: Cases up 40% as Death Toll Exceeds 200

WHO:

AP News - Africa’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported on the outbreak.

AP News - Dr. Wessam Mankoula, a medical epidemiologist at Africa CDC, provided insights on the outbreak.

WHAT:

The Straits Times - Government reports have documented more than 150 escapes from Ebola treatment and isolation facilities since late May.

The Straits Times - In one incident, 11 suspected patients fled a hospital in Bambu due to inadequate nutritional support.

The Straits Times - Food insecurity impacts almost 10 million people in the country’s eastern provinces.

The Straits Times - The United Nations’ food assistance agency is now providing hot meals at Ebola treatment centres, distributing 590 hot meals in a single day to suspected and confirmed patients, contacts under observation, and caregivers.

The Straits Times - WFP is seeking US$175 million until November for its Congo operations, including US$32 million earmarked for Ebola-related activities.

The Straits Times - The World Food Program is seeking US$175 million until November for its Congo operations, including US$32 million earmarked for Ebola-related activities.

The Straits Times - The United Nations’ food assistance agency distributed 590 hot meals in a single day to suspected and confirmed patients, contacts under observation, and caregivers.

The Straits Times - Government reports have documented more than 150 escapes from Ebola treatment and isolation facilities since late May.

The Straits Times - In one incident, 11 suspected patients fled a hospital in Bambu due to inadequate nutritional support.

The Straits Times - The health authorities are currently tracking about 6,400 people who may have been exposed to Ebola.

The Straits Times - The World Food Program is seeking US$175 million for its Congo operations, including US$32 million earmarked for Ebola-related activities.

AP News - The Ebola outbreak is reported to be the worst known outbreak at this stage, with up to 35,000 suspected potential contacts.

AP News - The current outbreak is three times worse than a previous outbreak in Uganda in 2000, which had 281 cases at the same point.

AP News - The outbreak was confirmed on May 15, weeks after it was suspected to have begun.

AP News - Dr. Wessam Mankoula stated that for the 800 confirmed cases, there should be between 17,000 to 35,000 contacts on the contact list, but currently only around 4,000 contacts have been tracked and evaluated.

AP News - The Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 200 lives, with the death toll reported at 204.

AP News - There are 894 confirmed cases of Ebola in the current outbreak.

AP News - The outbreak has increased by 38% in cases since the previous week.

AP News - 74 patients have recovered from the disease across eastern Congo and Uganda.

AP News - The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccines or treatments.

WHERE:

AP News - The outbreak is concentrated in Congo’s eastern province of Ituri, which accounts for more than 90% of the cases.

AP News - Cases have also been recorded in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

AP News - 19 confirmed cases have been reported in Uganda, with two deaths.

WHY:

AP News - The outbreak is complicated by ongoing insecurity in Ituri province and the remoteness of the area.

AP News - Nearly a million people have been displaced by years of conflict in Ituri, making contact tracing difficult.

HOW:

The Straits Times - David Stevenson, who runs the World Food Program’s operations in Congo, stated, “Outbreak responders are coming to us, knocking on our door and saying: ‘We need food assistance if we’re going to end Ebola.’”

The Straits Times - Health workers recall encountering challenges in previous outbreaks where lack of food caused desperation among patients.

AP News - Dr. Mankoula expressed concern, stating, “We are still far from controlling the situation of this outbreak.”

AP News - Contact tracing is hindered due to the area's remoteness and the movement of thousands of miners among remote sites.

AP News - Of over $900 million pledged to fight the outbreak, only $90 million has been released.

AP News - Africa CDC estimates it needs 540 personnel to fight the outbreak but currently has only 84.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 19:26 UTC)

Government reports indicate that there have been over 150 escapes from Ebola treatment and isolation facilities since late May, with one notable incident involving 11 suspected patients fleeing a hospital in Bambu due to a lack of nutritional support. Food insecurity is affecting nearly 10 million people in the eastern provinces, prompting the United Nations’ food assistance agency to provide hot meals at Ebola treatment centers, distributing 590 meals in a single day to those in need. David Stevenson, who oversees the World Food Program’s operations in Congo, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that outbreak responders are urgently requesting food assistance to help combat the Ebola crisis.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 16:00 UTC)

The World Food Program is urgently seeking US$175 million for its operations in Congo, which includes US$32 million specifically for Ebola-related activities. In a recent effort, the United Nations’ food assistance agency distributed 590 hot meals in just one day to those affected by the outbreak, including patients and caregivers. David Stevenson, who oversees the World Food Program’s operations in Congo, emphasized the critical need for food assistance, stating that outbreak responders are reaching out for help to combat Ebola effectively.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 14:14 UTC)

Government reports indicate that there have been over 150 escapes from Ebola treatment and isolation facilities since late May, with one notable incident involving 11 suspected patients fleeing a hospital in Bambu due to inadequate nutritional support. Health authorities are currently tracking around 6,400 individuals who may have been exposed to the virus, while the United Nations’ food assistance agency is stepping in to provide hot meals at treatment centers, distributing 590 meals in just one day. Meanwhile, the World Food Program is seeking US$175 million for its operations in Congo, which includes US$32 million specifically for Ebola-related activities, as health workers remember the desperation caused by food shortages in past outbreaks.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 12:20 UTC)

The Ebola outbreak currently unfolding is reported to be the worst known outbreak at this stage, with up to 35,000 suspected potential contacts. Dr. Wessam Mankoula noted that while there are 800 confirmed cases, only around 4,000 contacts have been tracked and evaluated, leaving a significant gap in containment efforts. Expressing concern, Dr. Mankoula stated, “We are still far from controlling the situation of this outbreak.”

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 06:46 UTC)

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has tragically claimed 204 lives, with 894 confirmed cases reported, marking a 38% increase in cases since last week. Dr. Wessam Mankoula from Africa’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted that the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is primarily concentrated in Ituri province, which accounts for over 90% of the cases, while also affecting neighboring North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, as well as Uganda where 19 cases and two deaths have been recorded. Compounding the crisis, ongoing insecurity and the remoteness of the area have made contact tracing challenging, and despite over $900 million pledged to combat the outbreak, only $90 million has been released, leaving Africa CDC short of the 540 personnel it estimates are needed to effectively respond.