Red Cross workers handle the coffin of a man who died of Ebola virus before his burial, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, at the Nyamurongo cemetery in Bunia town, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 10, 2026. (REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere)
Red Cross workers handle the coffin of a man who died of Ebola virus before his burial, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, at the Nyamurongo cemetery in Bunia town, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 10, 2026. (REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere)

The health ministry said Tchomia, about 50 kilometres south of the ​provincial capital Bunia, has become the latest affected health zone, ⁠bringing the total number of affected zones to 26 nationwide and ​18 in Ituri province, which accounts for more than ​94% of confirmed cases.

A health zone in Congo’s healthcare system covers a defined area with a network of clinics and a referral ​hospital.

The government's latest situation report said 37 new confirmed ​cases, including 12 deaths, were reported in the previous 24 hours, ‌all ⁠in Ituri. The outbreak has so far recorded 635 confirmed cases and 127 deaths across three eastern provinces.

The epidemic, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for ​which there ​is no approved ⁠vaccine or specific treatment, was declared on May 15. Eight patients were newly declared recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 30.