GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization has urged a significant broadening of the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, health teams have yet to trace every transmission chain. As of Sept. 1, Congo reported 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 deaths, based on the latest government data. The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak now impacts 60 health zones across six provinces.
This epidemic has become Congo’s most extensive and deadliest Ebola outbreak ever, ranking as the second-largest worldwide after the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic. Ituri remains the epicenter of the crisis, responsible for roughly 85% of cases and 88% of fatalities. Tedros highlighted that many deaths involve individuals not registered as known contacts, indicating ongoing transmission chains that health teams are still missing.
Community deaths and unsafe burials continue to pose major challenges to controlling the outbreak. According to Africa CDC, over 60% of fatalities in the recent seven-day period occurred within communities. Health officials also report delays in detecting infections and admitting patients to treatment centers. The latest government figures show 1,439 recoveries and a case fatality rate of 48.6%, underscoring the severe impact of the Bundibugyo virus.
Transmission persists throughout eastern Congo
Active transmission persists in 51 health zones, despite signs of a recent decline in case numbers. Four zones have not reported new cases for over 42 days and have interrupted transmission, while an additional five have experienced more than 21 days without new cases. Public health officials warn that the recent decrease is too recent to confirm that the Ebola outbreak nationwide is under control.
The WHO has expanded testing, treatment, and field support efforts across affected regions, delivering over 330 tonnes of emergency supplies and deploying more than 300 experts. Laboratory capacity has increased from a single national reference lab to a network of 24 laboratories situated closer to impacted communities. Testing capacity now reaches approximately 3,000 tests daily, with treatment and isolation beds expanding to over 1,300 across 49 facilities.
Outbreak response intensifies amidst ongoing spread
The epidemic involves the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, which currently has no approved specific treatment or vaccine. Researchers are conducting therapeutic trials, while vaccine candidates designed for the Bundibugyo virus are undergoing safety assessments. Authorities maintain surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, clinical care, and safe burial operations. Community engagement remains a key component, as delayed detection and incomplete contact follow-up hinder efforts to identify infected individuals before further transmission occurs.
Congo announced the outbreak in Ituri province on May 15 after authorities confirmed infections linked to the Bundibugyo virus. It has since spread across Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, and Bas-Uélé provinces. Tedros emphasized that response efforts must expand until every transmission chain is identified and halted. Officials continue prioritizing rapid detection, contact follow-up, safe burials, laboratory diagnosis, and treatment access within affected communities.