BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization announced that 80% of newly identified Ebola cases in eastern Congo originate from unknown transmission chains. These individuals do not appear on contact tracing lists related to previously confirmed cases. Health teams only detected many of these cases after symptoms, testing, or deaths triggered new alerts. WHO emphasized that the surveillance gap remains one of the most critical challenges in controlling the outbreak. The ongoing outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola.
According to the latest national report, Congolese health authorities documented 2,011 confirmed infections and 754 fatalities up to July 13. The most recent daily update recorded 54 new cases and 28 deaths. Authorities have kept 753 patients in isolation, while 366 individuals have recovered. Response efforts are following up on 67.4% of identified contacts in Ituri, North Kivu, and Haut-Uele. Normally, contact monitoring continues for 21 days after the last known exposure.
Contact tracing enables health workers to observe exposed individuals closely and facilitate prompt testing when symptoms emerge. WHO indicated that 92.3% of 430 investigated deaths through July 5 occurred either in communities or prior to hospital admission. This highlights delays in detection, referral, isolation, and access to healthcare. Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. The disease can also be transmitted via contaminated objects or contact with someone who has died from the infection.
Outbreak spans five provinces in the Democratic Republic of the 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 has recorded 182 cases and 106 deaths across 11 zones. South Kivu reported three cases and one death. Haut-Uele had 14 cases and 13 deaths, while Tshopo reported 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 latest confirmed case in Uganda was on June 21. Of these cases, 15 had travel history linked to Congo, and five involved local transmission. No documented community transmission has been reported in Uganda. Authorities also traced imported cases involving travelers or aid workers leaving affected areas in Congo. These cases led to isolation, specialized treatment, and contact monitoring in the destination countries.
Expanded efforts in testing and therapeutic research
Bundibugyo virus currently lacks an approved vaccine or targeted treatment. Care primarily involves rapid diagnosis, isolation, fluids, oxygen therapy, electrolyte management, and other supportive measures. 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. Testing capacity across affected provinces has increased to 10 laboratories, with a combined capacity exceeding 2,000 tests daily. Researchers have also initiated the PARTNERS trial to evaluate remdesivir and the monoclonal antibody MBP134.
Authorities in Congo, WHO, and Africa CDC are collaborating on surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, clinical care, safe burials, contact tracing, and community outreach. Challenges include insecurity, displacement, and extensive movement through mining and trade routes, which hinder access to some communities and health facilities. WHO reported receiving about 40% of a $115 million funding appeal for the response. Efforts continue to focus on early detection and rapid isolation, as most new cases are still outside of known transmission chains.