GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization has called for an expanded Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the virus continues to spread across multiple provinces. As of September 1, the government reported 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 deaths. The outbreak has impacted 60 health zones within six provinces. Authorities have also documented 1,439 recoveries, with a case fatality rate of 48.6%.
Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is now the country’s largest and most fatal Ebola crisis ever. Globally, it ranks as the second-largest Ebola outbreak, after the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa. Ituri province remains the primary site of transmission. This province accounts for roughly 85% of confirmed cases and 88% of deaths reported, making it the most severely affected area during this health emergency.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that health teams still have not traced all transmission sources. Many recent fatalities involved individuals not listed on known contact trackers. Deaths outside health facilities and unsafe burial practices continue to challenge containment efforts. Africa CDC indicated that over 60% of recent deaths occurred in communities rather than hospitals during the past week.
Health agencies ramp up Ebola containment efforts
The World Health Organization has increased laboratory testing, treatment facilities, and field operations across the affected zones. Over 330 tonnes of emergency supplies have been shipped, and more than 300 experts have been deployed. Currently, 24 laboratories operate closer to communities, compared to just one national reference lab earlier in the outbreak. Daily testing has increased to approximately 3,000, while treatment and isolation beds now number over 1,300 across 49 sites.
The Bundibugyo virus has no approved vaccine or specific treatment yet. Researchers are testing therapies, and two vaccine candidates are undergoing safety trials. Health teams continue contact tracing, testing, providing clinical care, ensuring infection prevention, and conducting safe burials. Authorities are also working to improve community engagement, as delayed detection can leave infected individuals outside formal monitoring and make tracing transmission chains more difficult.
Transmission persists despite a decline in case numbers
Transmission remains active in 51 health zones. However, recent weeks have seen fewer cases. Four zones have reported no new infections for over 42 days and have interrupted transmission. Five others have gone between 21 and 42 days without new cases. Officials caution that the recent decline does not mean the outbreak is under control. Surveillance continues across affected regions.
Congo declared the outbreak in Ituri province on May 15 after confirming infections with the Bundibugyo virus. The epidemic has since spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, and Bas-Uélé. Tedros emphasized that the response must expand until every transmission chain is identified and stopped. Authorities focus on rapid detection, contact follow-up, laboratory diagnosis, safe burial practices, and ensuring treatment access for communities impacted by Ebola.