BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization states that Congo’s Ebola outbreak could be contained within three months if adequate resources are provided to response teams. The latest official figures indicate 5,021 confirmed cases and 2,378 deaths as of Aug. 16. The outbreak now affects 55 health zones across six provinces, with a case fatality rate reaching 47.4%. This makes it the deadliest Ebola outbreak in Congo’s history and the second-largest Ebola epidemic recorded worldwide.
Thierno Baldé, WHO incident manager, explained that achieving this three-month goal hinges on acquiring the necessary response resources. The organization has secured approximately $69.3 million of the $115 million it requires, which is about 60%. Over the past two weeks, teams have added more than 400 treatment beds, deployed 100 additional epidemiologists, and mobilized over 500 community health workers for surveillance and contact tracing. The response effort demands vehicles, ambulances, medical supplies, and personnel spread across an expanding affected area.
The virus has now reached Bas-Uélé, marking it as the sixth province affected by the outbreak. By Aug. 12, Ituri accounted for 85% of confirmed cases and 79% of reported deaths nationwide. Officials have noted that 70% to 80% of new cases have no known connection to existing patients. Efforts are underway to expand surveillance capabilities to identify cases more quickly and transfer patients into treatment centers. The first confirmed case in Bas-Uélé traveled from Haut-Uélé before symptoms appeared on Aug. 4.
Expansion of Response Efforts Across Multiple Provinces
The Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare of the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced the outbreak on May 15. Laboratory tests in Kinshasa confirmed the presence of the Bundibugyo virus, a less common Ebola strain first identified in western Uganda in 2007. This marks Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered in 1976. Meanwhile, Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, with no new cases since June 21. These cases involved imported infections and secondary transmissions among contacts and healthcare workers.
Bundibugyo virus disease currently lacks a licensed vaccine or specific approved treatment. As a result, care primarily emphasizes early detection, supportive therapy, infection control, contact tracing, and safe burial practices. Authorities are also intensifying community outreach efforts, especially in areas where individuals may seek initial assistance outside formal health facilities. Response teams have trained local health workers and distributed hygiene supplies to reduce exposure risks during transportation and during handling of bodies. Early supportive treatment can significantly improve survival rates for those infected with Bundibugyo virus disease.
Surveillance Efforts Continue Amid Funding Shortages
While contact tracing has seen improvements, it remains below public health targets in several affected regions. As of Aug. 12, teams tracked 17,460 of 20,740 contacts, representing a follow-up rate of 84.2%. In an effort to improve detection and reduce delays between symptom onset and treatment, health officials have increased deployment of epidemiologists in the field. Community workers are also being utilized to report suspected cases and connect patients with treatment centers. By Aug. 9, there were 155 infections among health workers and 45 deaths reported.
The WHO classified this outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17. Ongoing efforts by national authorities and international partners include surveillance, laboratory testing, clinical care, safe burials, and community engagement. The three-month containment timeline is directly linked to securing the needed resources, according to Baldé. Since Aug. 9, the weekly count of confirmed cases increased by 640, with 367 additional deaths reported. The response continues despite challenges posed by insecurity and attacks targeting health services in eastern Congo.