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 spreading across multiple provinces. According to the latest government data, Congo had reported 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 fatalities by Sept. 1. The outbreak has impacted 60 health zones within six provinces, with authorities also noting 1,439 recoveries and a case fatality rate of 48.6%.
The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has become Congo’s largest and most lethal Ebola epidemic to date and ranks as the second-largest globally, behind the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic. Ituri province remains the epicenter of transmission, accounting for approximately 85% of confirmed cases and 88% of all reported deaths, making it the most severely affected region during this health crisis.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that health teams still have not traced every transmission chain, with many recent fatalities involving individuals not listed on known contact records. Ongoing community deaths and unsafe burials further hinder efforts to contain the virus. The Africa CDC reported that over 60% of deaths in the past week occurred in communities rather than health facilities.
Health agencies ramp up Ebola fight
The World Health Organization has increased laboratory testing, treatment capabilities, and field operations in affected regions. Over 330 tonnes of emergency supplies have been shipped, and more than 300 experts have been deployed. Now, 24 laboratories are functioning closer to communities, compared to just one national reference lab at the start of the response. Daily testing capacity has increased to roughly 3,000 tests, with treatment and isolation beds exceeding 1,300 across 49 facilities.
The Bundibugyo virus currently lacks an approved vaccine or specific treatment options. Researchers are working on therapeutic studies, while two vaccine candidates are undergoing safety trials. Efforts continue with contact tracing, testing, clinical care, infection prevention, and safe burials. Authorities are also intensifying community engagement to prevent delays in detection, which can leave infected individuals outside official monitoring and complicate the identification of transmission chains.
Transmission persists despite fewer cases
Active transmission persists in 51 health zones, despite recent reductions in case numbers. Four zones have reported no new cases for over 42 days and have successfully interrupted transmission, while five others have gone between 21 and 42 days without new infections. Public health officials caution that this decline does not yet confirm the outbreak is under control, as surveillance remains ongoing across affected areas.
Congo announced the outbreak in Ituri province on May 15 following confirmation of infections 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 expand until every transmission chain can be identified and halted. Authorities continue prioritizing rapid detection, contact follow-up, laboratory diagnosis, safe burials, and access to treatment in communities impacted by Ebola.