BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization reports that 80% of recent Ebola cases in eastern Congo stem from unidentified transmission chains. Many patients did not appear on contact tracing lists prior to testing confirming their infection. This gap hampers early isolation efforts and delays treatment for symptomatic individuals. Response teams often identify new clusters only after patients present at clinics or succumb in their communities. The current outbreak involves the less common Bundibugyo virus species.
As of July 13, Congo has reported 2,011 confirmed cases and 754 deaths. Ituri province remains the primary hotspot, with 1,808 cases and 631 fatalities. North Kivu has recorded 182 cases and 106 deaths. Other affected regions include South Kivu, Haut-Uele, and Tshopo. Health authorities reported 753 patients in isolation and 366 recoveries. Approximately 67% of identified contacts in the most affected areas are being actively monitored by response teams.
Contact tracing is essential for identifying exposed individuals before further spread occurs. Typically, contacts are observed for 21 days following the last exposure. WHO indicated that 92.3% of the 430 deaths investigated by July 5 happened outside of hospitals or prior to hospital admission, reducing opportunities for prompt testing and isolation. Ebola transmits through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, and contaminated objects can also harbor the virus.
Five provinces report confirmed cases
The outbreak has affected 45 health zones across five provinces. In Ituri, 26 zones have reported cases, while North Kivu has 11. Haut-Uele accounts for 14 infections and 13 deaths. Tshopo has four cases with three fatalities. South Kivu reported three cases and one death. The widespread geographic distribution has increased demands on laboratories, treatment centers, and mobile surveillance teams.
Meanwhile, Uganda confirmed 20 cases and two deaths by July 14. Eighteen patients recovered, and the latest confirmed case was reported on June 21. Fifteen of these cases had links to Congo, with five attributed to local transmission events. Ugandan health authorities have not documented any community spread and continue monitoring travelers and aid workers who left affected regions during the outbreak.
Expanded testing and clinical measures underway
There is no licensed vaccine or approved treatment specifically for Bundibugyo virus. Supportive care, including fluids, oxygen, and electrolyte replacement, remains the primary treatment approach. WHO added the first molecular diagnostic test for this virus to its Emergency Use Listing on July 2. Currently, ten laboratories provide testing support across the affected regions, with a combined capacity exceeding 2,000 tests daily. Researchers have also initiated a clinical trial involving remdesivir and the antibody therapy MBP134.
The Congo government, WHO, and Africa CDC continue to coordinate efforts in surveillance, testing, treatment, safe burials, and public communication. Challenges such as insecurity, displacement, frequent movement in mining zones, and strikes by health workers have hampered response efforts. WHO has received approximately 40% of its $115 million funding appeal. Authorities remain focused on accelerating case detection, as most new infections are occurring outside established transmission chains.