DRC Ebola outbreak tops 1,000 cases as death toll reaches 277- WHO

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has rapidly escalated, infecting 1,094 people and claiming 277 lives in just five weeks. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it the largest first-month Ebola outbreak ever recorded in Africa, underscoring the severity of the situation.

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The outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo strain, a rare Ebola virus for which there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment.

This outbreak is fueled by the Bundibugyo strain, a rare variant of the Ebola virus that currently lacks a licensed vaccine or specific treatment. Cases are primarily concentrated in Ituri province but have spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, and even crossed the border into Uganda. France also reported a health worker testing positive after returning from the DRC.

Despite the challenges, response efforts have seen significant expansion. Treatment capacity has grown from fewer than 10 beds to over 500 across 19 health facilities. Laboratory testing has also surged, with daily capacity increasing from about 30 to over 2,000 tests across nine supported laboratories. These improvements, coupled with early detection and supportive care, have led to over 100 patient recoveries, proving that survival is possible.

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More than 100 patients had recovered following early detection and supportive care, demonstrating that survival is possible when patients receive timely treatment.

A clinical trial for two antivirals, MDPC134 and remdesivir, is scheduled to commence at the end of June in the DRC. This trial aims to test the effectiveness of these drugs, alone and in combination, against the Bundibugyo virus. While nearly 80 health workers have been infected, the WHO continues to urge countries to ensure safe deployment of personnel and provide clear risk information and infection prevention measures.

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A clinical trial of two antivirals would start at the end of June in DRC, adding that MDPC134 and remdesivir would be tested alone and in combination for Bundibugyo virus disease.