Congo Ebola outbreak death toll passes 4,000 as authorities struggle to contain virus

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s latest Ebola outbreak has killed more than 4,000 people, according to figures released by the country’s health ministry, as authorities face difficulties containing the virus amid insecurity and widespread mistrust of health officials.

The ministry said on Thursday that 4,018 people had died among 8,300 confirmed cases. The figures mean deaths account for almost half of the confirmed cases recorded during the outbreak, which has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the country’s history.

Congo declared the outbreak on May 15 after identifying the rare Bundibugyo virus. Unlike some other Ebola strains, there is currently no known treatment or vaccine specifically available for the virus, increasing the pressure on health authorities attempting to contain its spread.

The World Health Organization has warned that the virus is spreading rapidly into new health zones, placing additional demands on already limited medical and public health resources.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said during its latest briefing that the number of confirmed cases appeared to be declining. However, officials cautioned that the reduction may not necessarily indicate that transmission is slowing.

Insecurity in some affected areas and difficulties persuading residents to cooperate with health teams have made it harder to identify cases and monitor the spread of the disease, according to health authorities.

Tensions surrounding the outbreak were highlighted by the killing of a Congolese political official earlier this week.

Marie-Célestin Karondwa, a local official from President Felix Tshisekedi’s Union for Democracy and Social Progress party, was attacked at his home on Sunday in Butembo, one of the areas affected by Ebola in eastern North Kivu province. His house was later set on fire, and he died in hospital from injuries sustained in the attack.

Karondwa had supported government measures aimed at responding to the outbreak, according to local authorities.

The incident reflects broader tensions surrounding Ebola response efforts in the country. Health workers and government officials have faced mistrust from some communities, complicating attempts to trace infections, isolate patients and promote preventive measures.

Authorities introduced a village-centred response strategy last month in an effort to involve local communities more closely in controlling the outbreak.

However, some residents continue to reject the existence or seriousness of Ebola, with claims circulating that the outbreak is a hoax. Public distrust is also linked to dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of previous Ebola outbreaks and wider concerns about corruption.

Health officials face the challenge of containing transmission while maintaining access to communities where insecurity and suspicion have complicated previous responses. The rapid expansion into new health zones has added urgency to efforts to strengthen surveillance, treatment and community engagement.