CONGO - Ebola Remains Out of Control

The latest data from Congo’s health ministry showed that 8,067 cases have been confirmed, with 3,901 deaths as of Sept. 26 across 63 health zones in seven of the country’s 26 provinces, with a fatality rate of more than 48%.

“The continuously high crude case fatality ratio, and especially the continuously high rate of deaths occurring in communities, highlights the seriousness of the disease and the persistent challenges in timely case detection and access to early and adequate patient care,” the World Health Organization said in its latest report.

Containment efforts have been hamstrung by insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike and intense population movements.

-abcnews.com, 28 September 2026

Commentary: The country of Congo must not be confused with the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), a former Belgian colony named Zaire. The article concerns itself with Congo-Brazzaville, which became independent from the “French Equatorial Africa” colony in August of 1960.

Wikipedia states that 87.2% of the population follows the Christian religion. Per capita GDP (PPP) is $6,590 (2025 estimate). Life expectancy is low, at just 62.4 years (2026 projection). This has somewhat improved from the year 2000, when life expectancy stood at only 52 years.

Regardless of this data, the fact that they are familiar with Christianity means there is no doubt the body of Christ exists in that nation.

We take this opportunity to call for prayer, particularly for the Church, as great poverty—and in this case, the Ebola disease—is a horrible reality. Pray for the Church in Congo.

(See Called to Pray, Item #1032, $11.90.)