SitRep 019

Report date 2026-06-02

Published

June 2, 2026

Caution

Machine translation from the French original with Google Gemini. No person has reviewed it.

Every number on this page was compared against the French transcription, and the page is published only if they match. The wording carries no such check. Before relying on any figure, read it in the original PDF.

Affected provinces (3) ITURI, NORD-KIVU & SUD-KIVU Affected health zones (25) ITURI: Aru, Aungba, Bambu, Damas, Bunia, Gety, Kilo, Komanda, Lita, Mambasa, Mangala, Mongbwalu, Nizi, Nyankunde, Rimba, Rwampara and Logo NORD-KIVU: Butembo, Goma, Oicha, Kalunguta, Katwa, Kyondo and Beni SUD-KIVU: Miti-Murhesa Reporting date 02 June 2026 Publication date 03 June 2026

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363* Cumulative confirmed cases for the 3 provinces 62 (17%) Cumulative deaths among confirmed cases and case fatality rate 206 Patients in isolation - hospitalisation 6 Cumulative number of recovered individuals 45,5% Contact tracing rate for the 3 provinces *Data being harmonised **Location of these active confirmed cases is ongoing in order to harmonise statistics

1. HIGHLIGHTS

  • Nineteen (19) new confirmed cases, including two deaths, were notified on 02 June 2026. These cases are located in the health zones of Rwampara (7), Bunia (5), Nyankunde (3), Rimba (3) and Damas (1).

  • The health zone of Rimba (Ituri) is newly affected, bringing to 17 the number of zones affected in this province.

  • In Nord-Kivu, teams are preparing the discharge of the first recovered case in Goma for 03 June 2026.

  • A serious incident occurred in Sud-Kivu, where Safe and Dignified Burial (EDS) teams were attacked by the population in Katana. The coffin was abandoned and the body handled by the community, creating a major risk of new transmission chains.

  • Joint mission (DG INSP (National Institute of Public Health), IM OMS, PF UNICEF and PAM) to evaluate Ebola response activities in the health zone of Mongbwalu, followed by discussions with politico-administrative authorities and community leaders on their roles in prevention, early case detection and compliance with barrier measures.

  • Thirty-two (32) contacts from the Rwampara health zone successfully completed their 21-day follow-up.

2. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND OPERATIONAL CONTEXT

The province of Ituri, located in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, shares a long and porous border with Uganda and South Sudan. For more than two decades, it has faced a chronic humanitarian crisis linked to armed conflicts and recurrent population displacements. Its population is estimated at more than 8 million inhabitants, including more than one million internally displaced persons. The Mongbwalu health zone, considered the starting point of the epidemic, is located in the territory of Djugu 70 km from Bunia. This zone is characterised by the presence of armed groups, frequent population movements towards Uganda, and numerous artisanal mining sites attracting migrant workers. In September 2018, the province of Ituri had already been affected by the 10th MVE (Ebola virus disease) epidemic that was then raging in Nord-Kivu. The current epidemic, due to Bundibugyo ebolavirus, was officially declared on 15 May 2026 by the Minister of Public Health. The three affected provinces have a total population estimated at nearly 15 million inhabitants, with massive internal displacements and cross-border flows towards neighbouring countries.

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[FIGURE: Figure 1. Timeline of events of the Ebola-Bundibugyo virus disease epidemic.]

3. DETAILED EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

3.1 Spatial distribution and active hotspots

Province Confirmed cases Deaths (confirmed) Case fatality Affected ZS New cases
Ituri 341 48 14,1 % 17 / 36 19
Nord-Kivu 19 13 68,4 % 7 / 34 0
Sud-Kivu 3 1 33,3 % 1 / 34 0
TOTAL 363 62 17,1 % 25 / 104 19

  • Ituri remains the national epicentre with 93,9 % of confirmed cases. Although case fatality there is lower (14,1 %), geographical expansion towards Rimba indicates active community transmission.

  • Nord-Kivu presents a concerning case fatality of 68,4 %, explained by delays in care and the escape of three confirmed cases from healthcare facilities.

3.2 Distribution by health zone (Cumulative as of 02/06/2026)

  • Province of Ituri (341 cases): Bunia (85), Rwampara (72), Mongbwalu (47), Nyankunde (22), Rimba (3), Mambasa (2), Bambu (2), Aru (2), Damas (2), Kilo (2), Nizi (2), Mangala (1), Aungba (1), Gety (1), Komanda (1), Lita (1), Logo (1). Ninety-four (94) additional cases are currently being broken down.

  • Province of Nord-Kivu (19 cases): Katwa (7), Beni (5), Butembo (2), Oicha (2), Kalunguta (1), Kyondo (1), Goma (1).

  • Province of Sud-Kivu (3 cases): Miti-Murhesa (3).

3.3 Demographic analysis: The age groups ranging from 18 to 49 years are the most affected, with a male predominance among confirmed cases (around 55% men).

Table 1. Distribution of confirmed cases and deaths of Bundibugyo MVE by health zone and by province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as of 02 June 2026
Province / Health zone Cumulative confirmed cases (n) Cumulative confirmed deaths (n) Case fatality (CFR, %)
ITURI 1. Bunia 85 8 9,4
ITURI 2. Rwampara 72 15 20,8
ITURI 3. Mongbwalu 47 10 21,3
ITURI 4. Nyankunde 22 1 4,5
ITURI 5. Bambu 2 2 100,0
ITURI 6. Aru 2 1 50,0
ITURI 7. Kilo 2 0 0,0
ITURI 8. Nizi 2 0 0,0
ITURI 9. Mangala 1 0 0,0
ITURI 10. Damas 2 0 0,0
ITURI 11. Aungba 1 0 0,0
ITURI 12. Gety 1 0 0,0
ITURI 13. Komanda 1 0 0,0
ITURI 14. Lita 1 0 0,0
ITURI 15. Logo 1 0 0,0
ITURI 16. Mambasa 2 1 50,0
ITURI 17. Rimba 3 0 0,0
ITURI - Other ZS (non-disaggregated data) 94 10 10,6
ITURI Subtotal Ituri 341 48 14,1
NORD-KIVU 1. Katwa 7 5 71,4
NORD-KIVU 2. Beni 5 3 60,0
NORD-KIVU 3. Butembo 2 2 100,0
NORD-KIVU 4. Oicha 2 2 100,0
NORD-KIVU 5. Kalunguta 1 1 100,0
NORD-KIVU 6. Kyondo 1 0 0,0
NORD-KIVU 7. Goma 1 0 0,0
NORD-KIVU Subtotal Nord-Kivu 19 13 68,4
SUD-KIVU 1. Miti-Murhesa 3 1 33,3
SUD-KIVU Subtotal Sud-Kivu 3 1 33,3
TOTAL 363 62 17,1

3.4 Epidemic mapping

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[FIGURE: Figures 2 & 3. Spatial distribution of confirmed MVE cases by affected health zone and in the three affected provinces as of 02 June 2026]

4. RESPONSE ACTIONS BY PILLAR

4.1 Coordination

  • National / Kinshasa: Tripartite meeting between the Ministry of Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare (through the COUSP (public health emergency operations centre)/INSP, SGI), the Ministry of Higher and University Education, Scientific Research and Innovations as well as the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship on the integration of response activities in School, University and Academic settings into the preparedness and response plan for the 17th epidemic.

  • National / Ituri: Joint mission (INSP, OMS, UNICEF, PAM) to Mongbwalu to evaluate the response and mobilise community leaders. Commencement of work on drafting the consolidated operational plan (CONOPS).

  • Nord-Kivu: Sharing of the provincial operational plan and follow-up of travellers in quarantine. Coordination meetings to address the security constraint linked to incursions by the ADF.

  • Sud-Kivu: Meeting with the provincial Governor; recommendation for direct funding of activities to motivate providers. Convening of the Health Cluster to discuss mobility challenges.

4.2 Epidemiological surveillance

Table 2. Management of epidemiological alerts (24h) as of 02 June 2026
Indicator Ituri Nord-Kivu Sud-Kivu Total
Alerts reported 158 153 5 316
Alerts investigated 157 152 4 313
Investigation rate 99,4 % 99,3 % 80,0 % 99,1 %
Alerts validated 122 20 2 144
Table 3. Contact tracing of confirmed cases as of 02 June 2026
Province Contacts under follow-up (n) Contacts seen (24h) Follow-up rate (%)
Ituri 3 637 1 498 41,2
Nord-Kivu 519 326 62,8
Sud-Kivu 137 131 95,6
Total 4 293 1 955 45,5
  • Challenges: Persistence of poor performance in Ituri (41,2 %) and in Nord-Kivu (62,8 %). The escape of three confirmed cases in Nord-Kivu and the attack on EDS teams in Sud-Kivu (Katana) and Ituri (Bunia) constitute major obstacles.

4.3 Laboratory

  • Ituri: 70 samples collected and analysed (positivity 27,1 %); no samples pending.

  • Nord-Kivu: 34 samples taken, but 42 results remain pending due to a turnaround time exceeding 5 days.

  • Sud-Kivu: Installation of an INRB mobile laboratory in Miti-Murhesa to accelerate diagnosis.

4.4 Infection Prevention and Control (PCI)

  • Ituri: assessments in Bunia Cité, decontaminations at HGR (general referral hospital) Bunia, 4 EDS in Bunia, 5 EDS in Nyankunde, 6 EDS in Rwampara, follow-up of 11 healthcare workers.

  • Nord-Kivu: Alarming average PCI score of 40 %. Training of 40 healthcare workers at HGR Virunga and briefing of 126 staff members at Heal Africa.

  • Sud-Kivu: Provision of supplies (chlorine, thermo-flash thermometers) to 40 priority facilities through the support of the NGO AFPDE. Assessment of 35 facilities in 8 health zones.

4.5 Holistic care

Table 4. Movement of patients in healthcare facilities as of 02 June 2026
Indicator Ituri Nord-Kivu Sud-Kivu Overall
Patients in bed (D-1) 191 8 5 204
Total admissions (24h) 28 1 1 30
Discharges (24h) Deceased (Suspects/Conf.) 8 1 0 9
Discharges (24h) Non-cases / Recovered 8 0 0 8
Discharges (24h) Escaped (Suspects/Conf.) 11 0 0 11
Discharges (24h) Total discharges 27 1 0 28
Patients in isolation (End D) 192 8 6 206
of which confirmed (NC+AC) 40 5 2 47
of which suspects 152 3 4 159

4.6 RCCE and Community Engagement

  • Nord-Kivu: 22 580 people sensitised. Critical reporting of 511 cases of community resistance, reflecting structural mistrust.

  • Sud-Kivu: Sensitisation of 399 schoolchildren (ZS (health zone) Miti-Murhesa and Ibanda) and briefing of 40 RECO (community health worker) in Kavumu.

  • Rumours identified: Persistence of belief in traditional plant-based treatments and mistrust of vaccines (particularly polio).

4.7 Logistics and Security

  • Official handover of three (3) vehicles (Government donation) by the Governor of the province of Ituri to CDPS Ituri; two of these vehicles were immediately assigned to the health zones of Rwampara and Nyakunde.

  • Delivery of infection prevention and control (PCI) supplies to the health zones of Mambasa, Mandima, Niania and Mongbwalu.

  • Delivery of medicines and PCI supplies with the support of UG-PDSS to the health zone of Rwampara.

4.8. Security

  • The security situation remains unstable in the health zones of Nizi and Bambu.

  • The security situation in the city of Bunia (health zones of Bunia and Rwampara) is relatively calm. However, the presence of armed groups in the territories of Djugu, Irumu and Mambasa continues to limit humanitarian access in several affected or at-risk health zones.

  • Serious incident in Katana (Sud-Kivu) where the population attacked the EDS team, leading to the abandonment of the coffin and the handling of the body by the community. In Ituri, the attack at the Bunia cemetery resulted in 5 injured among the response teams.

4.9 PSEA (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse)

  • Signing of the code of conduct on PSEA by community leaders of displaced persons sites: 49 people, including 23 men and 26 women.

  • Sensitisation of 179 people (4 men, 71 boys, 9 women and 95 girls) at EP Diro, Shun 1 neighbourhood, in the health zone of Mongbwalu.

  • Hosting of an interactive programme on community radio Tuungane in Mongbwalu, recording 17 live calls and 7 messages.

  • Ongoing development of stakeholder mapping and their positioning in the PSEA inter-agency action plan.

  • Briefing of 52 providers at Points of Entry (Ituri) and 41 response members in Miti-Murhesa (Sud-Kivu) on the code of conduct and reporting mechanisms.

5. MAIN CHALLENGES

No. Challenges Impact Required action
1 Reluctance regarding post-mortem sampling (swabs) Confirmation delay; underestimation of cases Intensive community engagement; involvement of religious leaders
2 Insufficient capacity in standard CTE (Ebola treatment centre) despite the opening of Rwampara Potential saturation of existing CTE Acceleration of the construction of planned CTE
3 Weakness of contact tracing (overall rate 45,5%, target 95%) Interruption of transmission chains compromised Training, deployment and motivation of community focal points
4 Supply failure of Generic Essential Medicines (MEG) in targeted HGR Weakening of overall care Advocacy for the provision of MEG
5 Shortage of PCI materials (PPE, DLM, chlorine) in Nord-Kivu Nosocomial risk Urgent procurement
6 Low reporting of alerts in the 3 provinces Delay in case detection Strengthening of community surveillance
7 Insufficient financial resources for all pillars Slowdown of operations Resource mobilisation (gap of 21,5 million USD)

6. OUTLOOK AND PRIORITY ACTIONS (24-72h)

Priority Action Responsible pillar Deadline
1 Training of healthcare workers on the use of RADIONE PCR Laboratory D+2
2 Briefing of healthcare workers on MVE surveillance and SBC in affected and high-risk zones Surveillance/CREC D+3
3 Briefing of community workers on MVE surveillance and SBC (Ituri province) Surveillance/CREC D+3
4 Supervised support from the Director General of the INSP in technical pillars Coordination Continuous
5 Catch-up of contact tracing in Ituri (current rate 41,2%) Surveillance D+7
6 PCI strengthening and staff training in Nyankunde and other nosocomial zones PCI D+2
7 Deployment of a standardised daily dashboard with KPIs by pillar Coordination D+3
8 Catch-up plan for the 42 samples pending analysis in Nord-Kivu Laboratory D+2
9 Nord-Kivu: discharge of the recovered case in Goma (D+1), response to security incidents (ADF incursion), PCI training at HGR Virunga, extension of CREC to 15 000 households D+2
10 Sud-Kivu: provision of 2 additional vehicles, installation of an Internet kit in Miti-Murhesa, communication credits for IT/ECZS D+2

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Joint mission in the ZS of Mongbwalu (INSP-SGI-OMS-UNICEF-PAM) focused on evaluating MVE response activities

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Tripartite meeting between the Ministries of Health, Ministry of Higher and University Education, Scientific Research and Innovations and the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship

For the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) of the DRC

The Director General of the INSP

Dr MWAMBA KAZADI Dieudonné

E-mail: dieudonne.mwamba@insp.cd

Tel.: +243 816 040 145

The COU-SP Coordinator

Prof NGANDU Christian

E-mail: Christian.ngandu@insp.cd

Tel.: +243998091915

The Incident Manager

Prof Pierre AKILIMALI

E-mail: pierre.akilimali@insp.cd

Tel.: +243815800288

FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

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