Volunteers of the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross wearing personal protective equipment carry the body of an Ebola virus disease victim from the morgue of the Rwampara health centre, June 8, 2026.Jospin Mwisha/AFP via Getty Images
The World Health Organization stated on Monday that the number of Ebola cases and fatalities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda has “accelerated quickly” since the end of May.
Since the WHO’s preceding report on May 29, an additional 390 confirmed infections, including 74 confirmed deaths, have been recorded. The rise in cases, which more than tripled the previously confirmed count, is partly attributable to enhanced testing and diagnostic capabilities, according to the WHO.
Infections continue to be documented in various regions of the DRC across 25 health zones, with some cases occurring hundreds of miles from the outbreak’s origin in the Ituri province.
The outbreak remains predominantly centered in that area.
As of June 6, the DRC has recorded a cumulative total of 515 confirmed cases and 91 fatalities. To date, 12 patients in the DRC have reportedly recuperated.
Over 5,000 individuals have been identified as contacts due to their exposure to an infected person. Efforts to trace these contacts are ongoing.
At least 16 of the infections reported thus far have been identified among healthcare professionals.
Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases as of June 6, marking an increase of 10 since the update on May 29.
While the WHO evaluates the risk of transmission within the Congo as “very high” and as “high” in neighboring nations, the risk to the remainder of Africa and the global population is deemed “low.”
Sourse: abcnews.go.com