GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – According to the World Health Organization, a broader Ebola containment effort is needed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with transmission ongoing in multiple regions. By September 1, the government’s latest figures indicated a total of 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 fatalities. The outbreak has impacted 60 health zones across six provinces. Additionally, authorities have recorded 1,439 recoveries, while the case fatality rate remains at 48.6%.
Congo’s most extensive and deadliest Ebola outbreak on record is the Bundibugyo epidemic, which also ranks as the second-largest worldwide, following the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa. Ituri province continues to be the epicenter, accounting for approximately 85% of confirmed cases and 88% of deaths reported, making it the most severely affected area during this health crisis.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted ongoing challenges, stating that health teams have yet to trace every chain of transmission. Many recent fatalities involve individuals who did not appear on known contact lists. The persistence of community deaths and unsafe burials further hampers efforts to contain the virus. Africa CDC reported that over 60% of deaths in the past week occurred in communities rather than healthcare facilities.
Health authorities strengthen Ebola containment measures
In response, the World Health Organization has increased laboratory testing, expanded treatment facilities, and intensified field operations throughout affected zones. Over 330 tonnes of emergency supplies have been shipped by WHO, and more than 300 experts have been deployed. Currently, 24 laboratories operate closer to affected populations—an improvement from the single national reference lab earlier in the response. Daily testing capacity has grown to approximately 3,000 tests, while treatment and isolation beds now number over 1,300 across 49 facilities.
The Bundibugyo virus still has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Researchers are conducting therapeutic trials, and two vaccine candidates aimed at the virus are undergoing safety assessments. Health teams continue with contact tracing, testing, clinical management, infection prevention, and safe burial practices. Authorities are also increasing community engagement efforts, recognizing that delayed detection can leave infected individuals outside formal monitoring and complicate efforts to trace transmission chains efficiently.
Transmission persists despite a decline in recent cases
Active transmission continues in 51 health zones, although recent weeks have seen a decrease in new cases. Four zones have reported no new infections for over 42 days and have successfully interrupted transmission. Additionally, five zones have experienced between 21 and 42 days without new cases. Public health officials caution that the recent reduction in cases does not imply that the outbreak is under control, with surveillance ongoing across the affected regions.
The outbreak was first declared in Ituri province on May 15, after authorities confirmed cases involving the Bundibugyo virus. The epidemic subsequently spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, and Bas-Uélé, in addition to Ituri. Tedros emphasized that the response efforts must continue to expand until every transmission chain is identified and halted. The focus remains on rapid detection, contact tracing, laboratory diagnosis, safe burials, and ensuring treatment access within communities impacted by Ebola.