Congo says number of confirmed Ebola cases rises to 896

Authorities say transmission remains active despite ongoing containment efforts

Red Cross workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) walk in a formation as they disinfect the house of an unidentified man who died of Ebola, before retrieving his body, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain a new Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain, in Quartier Shuni 1, a residential sector in Mongbwalu, Djugu Territory of Ituri province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, May 24, 2026. REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere

The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has increased to 896, including 232 deaths, government data showed late on Thursday.

The number represented the total number of confirmed cases as of Wednesday, according to a situation report that documented 21 new cases and six new deaths in the previous 24 hours.

Health officials said in the report that there has been a week-on-week increase in confirmed cases, indicating continued community transmission.

They warned the outbreak could spread rapidly to new areas if public health measures are not implemented promptly.