GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization has urged a substantial scale-up of efforts to combat Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that health teams have yet to trace every transmission chain. According to the latest government update, Congo reported 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 fatalities as of Sept. 1. The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak now impacts 60 health zones spanning six provinces.
This outbreak has become Congo’s most extensive and lethal Ebola event to date. It also ranks as the second-largest Ebola outbreak worldwide, following the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa. Ituri continues to be the epicenter of the crisis, accounting for approximately 85% of cases and 88% of deaths. Tedros noted that many fatalities involve individuals not listed as known contacts, highlighting ongoing gaps in identifying transmission pathways.
Community deaths and unsafe burial practices remain significant hurdles in controlling the outbreak. Africa CDC reports that over 60% of deaths during the most recent seven-day window occurred within communities. Health officials have also reported delays in detecting infections and admitting patients into treatment centers. The latest government figures for Congo show 1,439 recoveries and a case fatality rate of 48.6%, illustrating the severe impact of the Bundibugyo strain.
Active Transmission Continues in Eastern Congo
Transmission persists in 51 health zones, despite recent signs of a decline in case numbers. Four zones have not reported new cases for over 42 days and have successfully interrupted transmission. An additional five zones have experienced no new cases for between 21 and 42 days. Public health authorities warn that the recent decrease is too recent to confirm that the overall Ebola outbreak is under control.
The World Health Organization has increased testing, treatment, and field support in affected areas. Over 330 tonnes of emergency supplies have been delivered, and more than 300 specialists have been deployed. Laboratory capacity has expanded from a single national reference lab to a network of 24 laboratories closer to communities affected by the outbreak. Testing capacity now reaches roughly 3,000 tests per day, with treatment and isolation beds available in over 1,300 units across 49 health facilities.
Ongoing Response as Ebola Outbreak Continues
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which currently has no approved specific treatment or vaccine. Researchers are actively testing therapies, and vaccine candidates targeting the Bundibugyo virus are undergoing safety assessments. Health authorities continue to conduct surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory diagnostics, clinical care, and safe burial procedures. Community engagement remains a key part of the response, as delayed detection and incomplete contact follow-up have hampered efforts to identify infected individuals before further transmission occurs.
Congo announced the outbreak in Ituri province on May 15 after authorities confirmed infections associated with the Bundibugyo virus. Since then, the virus has spread across Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, and Bas-Uélé provinces. Tedros stressed that the response must expand until all transmission chains are identified and broken. Continued emphasis is placed on rapid case detection, thorough contact follow-up, safe burial practices, laboratory diagnosis, and ensuring access to treatment within affected communities.