BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization reported that 80% of recent Ebola cases in eastern Congo stem from unidentified transmission chains. Many patients were not listed on contact tracing lists prior to testing confirming their infections. This gap hampers early isolation efforts and delays treatment for symptomatic individuals. Health teams often identify new clusters only after patients arrive at health facilities or pass away in their communities. The ongoing outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a less prevalent Ebola strain.
By July 13, Congo had documented 2,011 confirmed cases and 754 fatalities. Ituri province remained the epicenter, with 1,808 cases and 631 deaths. North Kivu reported 182 cases and 106 deaths. Other regions such as South Kivu, Haut-Uele, and Tshopo also reported infections. Authorities listed 753 patients in isolation and 366 recoveries. Response teams tracked approximately 67% of contacts identified in the most affected areas.
Tracing contacts is vital for health workers to identify exposed individuals before they transmit the virus further. Typically, contacts are monitored for 21 days following the last known exposure. WHO noted that 92.3% of 430 investigated deaths up to July 5 occurred outside healthcare facilities or before hospital admission. These deaths reduce opportunities for prompt testing and isolation. Ebola transmits through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, and contaminated objects can also serve as vectors.
Five provinces report confirmed cases
The outbreak has spread across 45 health zones within five provinces of Congo. Ituri has cases in 26 zones, North Kivu in 11, Haut-Uele reports 14 cases with 13 deaths, Tshopo has four cases and three deaths, and South Kivu has three cases and one death. The extensive geographic distribution has increased the burden on laboratories, treatment centers, and mobile surveillance units.
In Uganda, 20 cases and two deaths had been confirmed by July 14. Seventeen of these patients had recovered, with the most recent confirmed case recorded on June 21. Of these infections, 15 were linked to travel to Congo, while five cases were associated with local transmission events. Ugandan health authorities found no evidence of widespread community spread and monitored travelers and aid workers leaving affected zones during the outbreak.
Expansion of testing and treatment efforts
There is currently no licensed vaccine or approved treatment targeting Bundibugyo virus specifically. Medical teams provide supportive care, including fluids, oxygen, and electrolyte replacement. On July 2, WHO added the first molecular diagnostic test for this virus to its Emergency Use Listing. Currently, ten laboratories conduct testing across the affected regions, with a combined capacity of over 2,000 tests daily. Researchers also launched a clinical trial involving remdesivir and the antibody treatment MBP134.
The Congo government, WHO, and Africa CDC are working together to coordinate surveillance, testing, treatment, safe burials, and public awareness campaigns. Challenges such as insecurity, displacement, frequent movement in mining areas, and health worker strikes have hampered access to certain communities. WHO has received roughly 40% of its $115 million funding appeal. Authorities emphasize the importance of quicker case detection, as most new infections occur outside known transmission chains.