Congo Reports Record One-Day Increase in Ebola Cases, a Month After Outbreak’s Declaration

Congolese authorities are grappling with a significant surge in Ebola cases, reporting a record 72 new infections in a single 24-hour period. This brings the total confirmed cases to 782, with 181 confirmed deaths since the outbreak was declared on May 15. The current fatality rate stands at 23%, according to the Ministry of Health.

The outbreak is attributed to the rare Bundibugyo virus, which lacks an approved vaccine or treatment, unlike the Zaire virus responsible for most of Congo's previous Ebola outbreaks. The response efforts are severely hampered by a combination of factors, including weak contact tracing, ongoing insecurity, and critical funding gaps. The contact tracing coverage rate has fallen to 56%, a concerning decrease from the previous week.

The epicenter of the outbreak is Congo's eastern Ituri province, accounting for over 90% of cases. The disease has also spread to North Kivu and South Kivu provinces and crossed the border into Uganda. The situation is compounded by nearly a million people displaced by conflict in Ituri, making it difficult to track potential cases as people flee attacks or move frequently through the vast, remote region. Tracing is also challenging among artisanal miners who move between numerous remote sites.

The World Health Organization and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) are intensifying their efforts, deploying technical expertise, supporting laboratory systems, and bolstering community engagement. Jean Kaseya, head of Africa CDC, emphasized the commitment to supporting affected countries and called for urgent mobilization of resources from partners and donors to strengthen the response and save lives.

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We remain committed to supporting affected countries until transmission is stopped. We call on partners and donors to urgently mobilize resources to strengthen the response and save lives.