BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – World Health Organization states that Congo’s Ebola outbreak can still be contained within three months, provided response teams are adequately resourced. As of Aug. 16, the latest official report recorded 5,021 confirmed cases and 2,378 deaths. The virus has now spread across 55 health zones in six provinces, with a case fatality ratio reaching 47.4%. This makes it the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the country’s history and the second-largest Ebola epidemic documented worldwide.
According to WHO incident manager Thierno Baldé, the three-month containment timeline hinges on securing the necessary resources for the response. The organization has received approximately $69.3 million of the $115 million it estimates is needed, roughly 60%. Over the past two weeks, teams added more than 400 treatment beds, deployed 100 additional epidemiologists, and mobilized over 500 community health workers for surveillance and contact tracing efforts. The response effort demands vehicles, ambulances, medical supplies, and personnel across an expanding affected region.
The virus has reached Bas-Uélé, marking it as the sixth affected province. As of Aug. 12, Ituri accounted for 85% of confirmed cases and 79% of the reported deaths nationwide. Officials indicated that 70% to 80% of new cases had no known link to existing patients. To accelerate case detection and patient transfers, health teams are expanding surveillance efforts. Bas-Uélé’s first confirmed case had traveled from Haut-Uélé before symptoms appeared on Aug. 4.
Efforts intensify across affected regions
The Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare of the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced the outbreak on May 15. Laboratory tests conducted in Kinshasa confirmed the presence of the Bundibugyo virus, a less common Ebola strain first identified in western Uganda in 2007. This incident marks Congo’s 17th recorded Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified in 1976. Meanwhile, Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, with no new cases there since June 21. These cases included imported infections and secondary transmissions among contacts and healthcare workers.
Bundibugyo virus disease currently lacks a licensed vaccine or specific approved treatment. Consequently, care centers on early detection, supportive treatment, infection control, contact tracing, and safe burials. Officials are also expanding community outreach, especially where patients initially seek help outside formal health facilities. Response teams have trained local workers and supplied hygiene materials to minimize exposure during transportation and handling of bodies. Early supportive care can significantly improve the chances of survival for individuals infected with Bundibugyo virus disease.
Surveillance efforts expand but funding shortfalls persist
While contact monitoring has improved, it still falls short of public health targets in several affected areas. On Aug. 12, teams tracked 17,460 of 20,740 contacts, achieving a national follow-up rate of 84.2%. To enhance detection, health officials have deployed additional field epidemiologists to reduce delays between symptom onset and treatment. Community workers are also being utilized to report suspected cases and connect patients with healthcare facilities. As of Aug. 9, officials documented 155 infections among health workers and 45 deaths.
On May 17, WHO designated the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Both national authorities and international partners continue efforts in surveillance, laboratory testing, clinical care, safe burials, and community engagement. Thierno Baldé emphasized that the three-month containment plan is directly tied to securing the necessary resources. Since then, weekly reports recorded 640 additional confirmed cases and 367 additional deaths since Aug. 9. The response continues amid ongoing insecurity and attacks on health services in eastern Congo.