Red Cross workers handle the coffin of a man who died of Ebola virus before his burial, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, at the Nyamurongo cemetery in Bunia town, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere
Gradel Muyisa Mumbere
Reuters
DAKAR - Congo's Ebola outbreak has spread to a new health zone in the northeastern province of Ituri, authorities said on Wednesday, as fresh infections underline sustained transmission more than three weeks after the epidemic was declared.
The health ministry said Tchomia, about 50 kilometres south of the provincial capital Bunia on the shores of Lake Albert, has become the latest affected health zone, bringing the total number of affected zones to 26 nationwide and 18 in Ituri province, which accounts for more than 94% of confirmed cases.
A health zone in Congo's healthcare system covers a defined area with a network of clinics and a referral hospital.
The government's latest situation report said 37 new confirmed cases, including 12 deaths, were reported in the previous 24 hours, all in Ituri.
The outbreak has so far recorded 635 confirmed cases and 127 deaths across three eastern provinces.
The epidemic, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment, was declared on May 15. It has since spread across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, regions marked by insecurity, displacement and cross-border movement.
Eight patients were newly declared recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 30, while treatment activities have been launched at Ebola centres in Bunia and Rwampara, the report said.
(Reporting by Clement Bonnerot and Congo newsroom; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Deepa Babington)
Red Cross workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) gather after handling the coffin of a man who died of Ebola virus, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, in Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere Gradel Muyisa Mumbere Reuters
A Red Cross worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) disinfects, after handling the man who died of Ebola virus at the Centre Medical Evangelique (CME), in Hoho commune, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, before his burial in Bunia town, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere Gradel Muyisa Mumbere Reuters
A Congolese medical worker walks at the Centre Medical Evangelique (CME) within the secured Ebola response zone, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain, in Hoho commune of Bunia town, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 9, 2026. REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere Gradel Muyisa Mumbere Reuters
A 'Save the Children' vehicle leaves the Centre Medical Evangelique (CME), as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain, in Hoho commune of Bunia town, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 9, 2026. REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere Gradel Muyisa Mumbere Reuters
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 3:17 PM.
