BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization has indicated that 80% of recent Ebola infections in eastern Congo originate from unknown transmission routes. These individuals did not appear on contact tracing lists connected to previously confirmed cases. Health teams only discovered many of these cases after symptoms, testing, or deaths triggered new alerts. WHO emphasized that the surveillance gap remains one of the most critical issues in managing the outbreak. The ongoing outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola.
According to the latest national report, Congolese health authorities confirmed 2,011 cases and 754 deaths as of July 13. The most recent daily update recorded 54 new cases and 28 fatalities. Authorities continue to keep 753 individuals in isolation, while 366 have recovered. Response teams are monitoring 67.4% of identified contacts in Ituri, North Kivu, and Haut-Uele. Contact follow-up typically lasts for 21 days after the last known exposure.
Contact tracing enables health workers to observe exposed individuals and quickly arrange testing if symptoms emerge. WHO noted that 92.3% of 430 investigated deaths through July 5 occurred either in community settings or before hospital admission. This highlights delays in detection, referral, isolation, and healthcare access. Ebola transmits via direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. It can also spread through contaminated objects or contact with someone who has died from the disease.
Outbreak Spreads to Five Congolese Provinces
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 has registered 182 cases and 106 deaths across 11 zones. South Kivu reported three cases and one death. Haut-Uele documented 14 cases and 13 deaths, while Tshopo reported four cases and three deaths. In total, 45 out of 140 health zones across these five provinces have reported infections.
Uganda had identified 20 confirmed cases and two deaths by July 14, with 17 recoveries. The last confirmed case in Uganda was on June 21. Of these, 15 cases had links to Congo, and five involved local transmission. No documented community transmission has been reported in Uganda. Authorities also monitored imported cases involving travelers or aid workers leaving affected areas in Congo, leading to isolation, specialized treatment, and contact monitoring in destination countries.
Enhancing Diagnostics and Treatment Efforts
Bundibugyo virus currently lacks an approved vaccine or specific treatment. Care primarily involves rapid diagnosis, isolation, fluids, oxygen therapy, electrolyte replacement, and other clinical interventions. WHO approved the first molecular diagnostic test for the virus on its Emergency Use Listing on July 2. This test detects viral genetic material in blood samples. Laboratory capacity in affected regions has increased to 10 sites, capable of conducting over 2,000 tests daily. Researchers also launched the PARTNERS trial to evaluate the effectiveness of remdesivir and the monoclonal antibody MBP134.
Congolese authorities, WHO, and Africa CDC are collaborating on surveillance, lab testing, clinical care, safe burials, contact tracing, and community engagement. Challenges include insecurity, displacement, and heavy movement through mining and trading routes, which hinder access to some communities and health facilities. WHO reported receiving about 40% of a $115 million appeal for outbreak response funding. Efforts remain focused on early detection and swift isolation, as many new cases occur outside established transmission chains.