BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization announced that 80% of recent Ebola infections in eastern Congo stemmed from unknown chains of transmission. These patients were not listed on contact tracing lists linked to previously confirmed instances. Health teams only identified many of these cases after symptoms, testing, or fatalities triggered new alerts. WHO emphasized that the surveillance gap remains among the most critical challenges in controlling the outbreak. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola.
The Congolese health authorities reported a total of 2,011 confirmed cases and 754 fatalities as of July 13 in their latest national report. The most recent daily update recorded 54 new cases and 28 deaths. Authorities maintained 753 patients in isolation, with 366 having recovered. Response teams were monitoring 67.4% of identified contacts in Ituri, North Kivu, and Haut-Uele. Normally, contact monitoring continues for 21 days after the last known exposure.
Tracing contacts enables health workers to observe exposed individuals and facilitate prompt testing when symptoms appear. WHO stated that 92.3% of 430 investigated deaths by July 5 occurred either within communities or prior to hospital admission. This indicates delays in detection, referral, isolation, and access to healthcare. Ebola transmits through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. It can also spread via contaminated objects or contact with someone who succumbed to the disease.
Outbreak impacts five provinces in Congo
Ituri continues to be the epicenter, with 1,808 confirmed cases and 631 deaths. The province has reported infections across 26 of its 36 health zones. North Kivu has documented 182 cases and 106 deaths across 11 zones. South Kivu reported three cases and one death. Haut-Uele has 14 cases and 13 deaths, while Tshopo recorded four cases and three deaths. Overall, 45 out of 140 health zones across these five provinces have reported infections.
Uganda reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths by July 14, with 17 recoveries. The last confirmed case in Uganda was on June 21. Of these cases, 15 had travel links to Congo, and five involved local transmission. No documented community transmission has been confirmed in Uganda. Authorities also traced imported cases involving travelers or aid workers leaving affected areas in Congo. These cases prompted isolation, specialized treatment, and contact monitoring in the destination countries.
Enhanced diagnostics and treatment research underway
Bundibugyo virus currently lacks an approved vaccine or specific treatment. Care primarily involves rapid diagnosis, isolation, supportive therapies such as fluids, oxygen, electrolyte replacement, and other clinical interventions. WHO added the first molecular diagnostic test for this virus to its Emergency Use Listing on July 2. This test detects viral genetic material in blood samples. Laboratory capacity in affected regions has expanded to 10 sites, with the ability to perform over 2,000 tests daily. Researchers have also initiated the PARTNERS trial to evaluate remdesivir and the monoclonal antibody MBP134.
Coordination efforts by Congolese authorities, WHO, and Africa CDC include surveillance, laboratory testing, clinical care, safe burials, contact tracing, and community engagement. Response teams face challenges such as insecurity, displacement, and high movement through mining and trade routes, which hinder access to some communities and healthcare facilities. WHO reported receiving about 40% of a $115 million appeal for outbreak response. Authorities continue to focus on early detection and swift isolation, as most new cases are still outside known transmission chains.