GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization has called for an intensified Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the virus continues to spread through multiple regions. As of September 1, official government data reports that Congo has documented 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 fatalities. The ongoing outbreak impacts 60 health zones spread across six different provinces. Additionally, authorities have registered 1,439 recoveries, with the case fatality rate standing at 48.6%.
The outbreak in Bundibugyo has become Congo’s most severe and deadliest Ebola epidemic to date, ranking as the second-largest in the world’s history behind the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. Ituri province remains the primary epicenter, contributing approximately 85% of confirmed cases and 88% of the deaths reported so far, making it the most critically affected area amidst this public health crisis.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that contact tracing efforts have yet to fully identify all transmission chains. Many recent fatalities involved individuals who did not appear on existing contact lists. The continuation of community deaths and unsafe burial practices further hampers containment efforts. According to Africa CDC, over 60% of deaths during the most recent seven-day period occurred in community settings rather than health facilities, complicating control measures.
Global health authorities ramp up Ebola containment efforts
The World Health Organization has increased laboratory testing capabilities, expanded treatment services, and enhanced field operations within affected regions. Over 330 tonnes of emergency supplies have been shipped by WHO, and more than 300 specialists have been deployed to support response activities. Currently, health services operate 24 laboratories positioned closer to affected populations, compared to just one centralized reference laboratory earlier in the outbreak. Daily testing capacity has now risen to roughly 3,000 tests, while the availability of treatment and isolation beds has surpassed 1,300 across 49 facilities.
The Bundibugyo virus currently lacks an approved vaccine or specific treatment. Researchers are actively conducting therapeutic studies, and two vaccine candidates for this virus are currently under safety evaluation. Meanwhile, health teams continue rigorous contact tracing, testing, providing clinical care, enforcing infection prevention measures, and performing safe burials. Authorities are also intensifying community engagement efforts, recognizing that delays in detection may leave infected individuals outside formal surveillance systems, thereby making it more difficult to rapidly identify and interrupt transmission chains.
Transmission persists even with declining case numbers
Transmission remains active in 51 health zones, although recent data indicates a reduction in new cases. Four zones have reported no new infections for more than 42 days and have successfully interrupted transmission. An additional five zones have experienced between 21 and 42 days without a new case. While the recent decline offers cautious optimism, public health officials have emphasized that the outbreak is not yet under control and continue surveillance efforts across the impacted provinces.
Congo officially announced the outbreak on May 15 after authorities confirmed cases involving the Bundibugyo virus in Ituri province. The epidemic subsequently spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, and Bas-Uélé, in addition to Ituri. Tedros highlighted that the response must be expanded until health teams can identify and halt every transmission chain. Efforts remain focused on rapid detection, diligent contact follow-up, laboratory diagnosis, safe burial practices, and ensuring access to treatment in all affected communities by Ebola.