DRC Formally Declares Tshopo and Haut-Uélé Epidemic Zones as Outbreak Deemed No Longer Contained

DRC's National Institute of Public Health (INSP) formally added Tshopo and Haut-Uélé to the epidemic zone on 11 July 2026, bringing the total number of affected provinces to five. Tshopo's provincial capital, Kisangani, is one of DRC's largest cities. INSP said that although investigations suggest cases detected in both new provinces are primarily imported from Niania, Ituri, it is necessary to classify them as part of the epidemic zone. The declaration marked a significant shift, with reporting characterizing the outbreak as no longer contained.