Ebola Cases Rise 73% in North Kivu as Ituri Reports Decline

Ebola cases are moving in opposite directions in two neighboring provinces of eastern Congo, with Ituri recording a 26% decline this month while North Kivu saw cases rise by 73% over the same period.

Ituri had previously been the epicenter of the outbreak, but the sharp increase in North Kivu has placed renewed pressure on the province’s response system. Cases have been reported across North Kivu, including in the city of Beni and in rural villages.

Treatment capacity under pressure

Guy Mutombo, the operations officer for North Kivu’s Ebola response, said the province was facing difficulties as treatment facilities filled up.

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

He also described a proposal to establish an isolation center or Ebola treatment center in every health zone. The aim, he said, would be to ensure that incoming cases can receive care.

Mabalako General Hospital is the only treatment point for people infected with Ebola in the rural community it serves. The World Health Organization visited the hospital last week to help strengthen its capacity to respond.

Region with previous outbreak history

North Kivu was the site of the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak, which killed thousands, according to the information reported on the current situation. The province’s latest increase comes as neighboring Ituri records a decline in cases.

The absolute number of cases in either province, the precise dates covered by the reported changes and the number of deaths in the current outbreak were not provided.