Current Ebola outbreak worst ever in DR Congo, WHO says

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the most severe in the nation's history. As of July 30, the outbreak has registered 3,605 confirmed cases, resulting in 1,587 deaths, a stark fatality rate of 44%.

This outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, surpasses the previous record set between 2018 and 2020, which recorded nearly 3,500 cases and almost 2,300 fatalities. Currently, there is no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, although vaccines are under development in the UK and Singapore. Ebola, a disease transmitted through bodily fluids, has caused approximately 15,000 deaths across Africa over the past five decades.

The WHO reported that the outbreak is intensifying, with sustained transmission and a continuous rise in reported cases and deaths. The past week saw the highest weekly total, with 567 cases and 296 deaths, underscoring the exceptional pace of transmission. The organization warned that factors such as insecurity, population displacement, and cross-border movement are hampering response efforts and increasing the risk of further spread.

The epicenter of the outbreak is in the Ituri province, located in the country's northeast and bordering South Sudan and Uganda. However, the virus has also spread to other regions, including the North and South Kivu provinces, where significant areas are under the control of the M23 armed group, reportedly backed by Rwanda. The WHO highlighted that the convergence of insecurity, population displacement, mobility, and cross-border movements complicates response operations and heightens the risk of wider geographical dissemination.