KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – According to official figures through Aug. 7, Ebola has resulted in 1,916 fatalities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The authorities have confirmed a total of 4,209 infections during this outbreak. The current total exceeds the previous figure of 1,887 by 29 deaths. They also reported 595 patients are receiving treatment in isolation, and 828 individuals have recovered.
Ituri remains the province most severely affected, with 3,636 confirmed cases and 1,551 deaths. North Kivu follows with 470 confirmed infections and 315 fatalities. Haut Uele has recorded 91 cases and 44 deaths, while Tshopo reports nine cases and five deaths. South Kivu has documented three cases and one death. Overall, 53 out of 140 health zones across these five provinces have been impacted by the outbreak.
The latest daily update added 89 confirmed cases and 21 deaths to the national tally. Of these, Ituri contributed 73 new infections. North Kivu identified an additional 12 cases, and Haut Uele reported four. Health teams continue to monitor 83.4% of identified contacts across the affected regions. Authorities are actively reconciling surveillance data, laboratory results, and clinical records as they revise case and mortality figures.
Ituri remains the epicenter of the expanding epidemic
The Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed the presence of the outbreak in May following laboratory tests that detected Bundibugyo virus. The Ministry of Health has overseen activities including surveillance, testing, isolation, contact tracing, and clinical management across the affected zones. Efforts also involve infection prevention strategies and safe burial practices to curb further spread. The outbreak’s expansion into several eastern provinces is complicated by insecurity, population movement, and strained healthcare systems, which challenge routine disease control measures.
Ebola can lead to symptoms such as fever, intense weakness, body pain, vomiting, and other severe health issues. As the illness progresses, some patients experience bleeding. This outbreak marks the 17th Ebola incident recorded by the country since scientists first identified the virus in 1976. The World Health Organization has assisted with response activities including case detection, laboratory testing, patient care, and infection control, as teams continue to track the virus’s spread across multiple provinces.
Bundibugyo virus currently lacks an approved vaccine
Bundibugyo virus is distinct from the Zaire Ebola species targeted by existing licensed vaccines. There is no licensed vaccine or specific approved treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease at present. Medical teams primarily provide supportive care, including hydration, symptom management, and close patient monitoring. Ongoing research evaluates potential vaccines and investigational therapies. Uganda had reported 20 confirmed cases of Bundibugyo and two deaths by late July, with no new confirmed cases since June 21.
The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo represents the largest epidemic caused by Bundibugyo virus ever documented. It also ranks as the second-largest Ebola outbreak in history based on case numbers. The majority of infections and fatalities are concentrated in Ituri and North Kivu. Authorities continue laboratory testing, contact monitoring, patient isolation, and treatment efforts, updating national totals as new surveillance data is received and reported.