Ebola Cases Rise Sharply in North Kivu as Ituri Sees Decline

Ebola cases have risen sharply in North Kivu in eastern Congo, contrasting with a decline in neighboring Ituri province over the same period.

Cases in Ituri fell by 26% during the month covered by the report, while North Kivu recorded a 73% increase. The figures were reported without absolute case totals, and the exact dates covered by the comparison were not specified.

Pressure on treatment facilities

Guy Mutombo, operations officer for North Kivu’s Ebola response, said the increase was placing pressure on treatment facilities across the province.

“We are facing some issues. Almost all our treatment centers are completely full,” Mutombo said.

Ebola cases have been reported in both major urban areas, including Beni, and rural villages in North Kivu. The province previously experienced a major Ebola outbreak between 2018 and 2020 that killed thousands.

Mutombo said a proposal had been made for every health zone to have an isolation facility or Ebola treatment center. He did not indicate whether the proposal had been approved, funded or implemented.

WHO visits rural hospital

The World Health Organization visited Mabalako General Hospital last week as part of efforts to strengthen its ability to respond to Ebola cases.

The hospital serves as the only Ebola treatment point for the rural community it covers. Its role has become particularly important as cases spread beyond North Kivu’s larger cities.

Ituri had been the epicenter of the outbreak before the period covered in the report. The contrasting trends in the two neighboring provinces highlight the differing pressures facing Ebola responders across eastern Congo, although the available information does not provide current totals for cases, deaths or recoveries.