GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization has called for an expanded Ebola intervention in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the virus continues to spread across multiple provinces. As of Sept. 1, the latest government data shows there have been 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 fatalities. The outbreak impacts 60 health zones within six provinces. Authorities have documented 1,439 recoveries, with a case fatality rate of 48.6%.
The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has become the largest and deadliest in Congo’s history. It ranks as the second-largest Ebola outbreak globally, after the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa. Ituri province remains the primary transmission hub, accounting for approximately 85% of confirmed cases and 88% of deaths reported, thus making it the most critically affected region during this public health crisis.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that health teams have yet to trace all transmission links. Several recent fatalities involved individuals not listed on known contact registers. The persistence of community deaths and unsafe burials continues to hinder containment efforts. Africa CDC reported that over 60% of fatalities in the last seven days occurred outside health facilities, within communities.
Health agencies bolster Ebola containment measures
The World Health Organization has increased laboratory testing, treatment facilities, and on-ground operations in affected zones. Over 330 tonnes of emergency supplies have been dispatched, and more than 300 specialists deployed. Now, there are 24 laboratories operating closer to affected populations compared to just one national reference lab at the start of the response. Daily testing capacity has grown to roughly 3,000 tests, while treatment and isolation beds now total over 1,300 across 49 health facilities.
Currently, the Bundibugyo virus has no approved vaccine or targeted treatment. Researchers are conducting therapeutic trials, and two vaccine candidates are in safety testing phases. Health teams persist with contact tracing, testing, clinical management, infection control, and safe burials. Efforts are also being intensified to engage communities better, as delays in detection can result in infected individuals remaining outside formal monitoring systems, complicating the identification of transmission chains.
Transmission persists despite a decrease in new cases
Active transmission continues across 51 health zones, although recent weeks have shown a decline in new cases. Four zones have not reported any new infections for over 42 days and have effectively interrupted transmission. An additional five zones have experienced no new cases for 21 to 42 days. Officials note that this downward trend does not yet confirm the outbreak is contained, as surveillance remains ongoing in affected regions.
Congo announced the outbreak in Ituri province on May 15 after confirming infections involving the Bundibugyo virus. Subsequently, the epidemic extended to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, and Bas-Uélé, alongside Ituri. Tedros emphasized that the response efforts must grow until all transmission chains are identified and halted. Authorities continue prioritizing rapid detection, contact follow-up, laboratory diagnosis, safe burials, and accessible treatment in communities impacted by Ebola.