BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization announced that 80% of recent Ebola infections in eastern Congo originated from unknown transmission chains. These patients were not listed on contact tracing lists related to previously confirmed cases. Health teams only identified many of these cases after symptoms appeared, testing was conducted, or fatalities occurred, prompting new alerts. WHO emphasized that the surveillance gap remains one of the most critical challenges in controlling the outbreak. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a less common strain of Ebola.
As of July 13, Congolese health officials reported a total of 2,011 confirmed cases and 754 deaths in their latest national update. The most recent daily figures show 54 new cases and 28 fatalities. Authorities have placed 753 patients in isolation, while 366 individuals have recovered. Response efforts are actively monitoring 67.4% of identified contacts across Ituri, North Kivu, and Haut-Uele. Normally, contact follow-up continues for 21 days after the last known exposure.
Contact tracing enables health workers to observe exposed individuals and swiftly initiate testing once symptoms emerge. WHO reported that 92.3% of 430 investigated deaths until July 5 occurred either in communities or prior to hospital admission. This highlights delays in detection, referral, isolation, and access to healthcare. Ebola transmits through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, as well as via contaminated objects or contact with someone who succumbed to the disease.
Outbreak extends to five provinces in Congo
Ituri remains the epicenter, with 1,808 confirmed cases and 631 deaths. The province has reported infections across 26 of its 36 health zones. North Kivu accounts for 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 reports four cases and three deaths. Overall, 45 out of 140 health zones across these five provinces have documented infections.
By July 14, Uganda had confirmed 20 cases and two deaths, with 17 recoveries. The country detected its latest case on June 21. Of these, 15 cases were linked to travel from Congo, and five involved local transmission. No documented community spread has been reported in Uganda. Authorities also monitored imported cases involving travelers or humanitarian workers leaving affected areas in Congo, leading to isolation, specialized treatment, and contact tracing in the destinations.
Enhanced diagnostics and treatment research efforts underway
Bundibugyo virus currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Patient care focuses on rapid diagnosis, isolation, fluid therapy, oxygen support, electrolyte replacement, and other clinical interventions. WHO added its first molecular diagnostic test for this virus to the Emergency Use Listing on July 2. This test detects viral genetic material in blood samples. Laboratory capacity in affected regions has grown to 10 sites, with a testing capacity exceeding 2,000 tests daily. Additionally, researchers launched the PARTNERS trial to assess the efficacy of remdesivir and the monoclonal antibody MBP134.
Congolese authorities, WHO, and Africa CDC are working together to coordinate surveillance, laboratory testing, clinical care, safe burials, contact tracing, and community engagement. The response faces challenges such as insecurity, displacement, and heavy movement along mining and trade routes, which hinder access to some communities and health facilities. WHO reported receiving approximately 40% of a $115 million appeal for outbreak response funding. Efforts continue to focus on early detection and rapid isolation, as most new cases occur outside known transmission chains.