KINSHASA, DR CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has become the country’s biggest recorded epidemic. Health officials reported 3,605 confirmed cases by July 30, which included 1,587 deaths. The case fatality rate was 44%. During the most recent full reporting week, teams recorded 567 new infections and 296 deaths. These figures marked the highest weekly totals since the outbreak began. The increase added pressure to surveillance, treatment, and community response efforts.
The cases now extend across 49 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo. During the latest seven-day period, 33 zones reported active transmission. They documented 641 cases and 282 deaths. Ituri remains the outbreak’s epicenter, with 3,176 infections, or 88% of the national total. Bunia recorded the highest number of cases. Other affected areas include Rwampara, Mongbwalu, Nizi, Lita, and Nyankunde, as health teams expanded tracing and testing efforts.
The World Health Organization assesses the risk within DR Congo as very high. It also considers the threat to Uganda and other neighboring countries as high. However, the overall risk across Africa and globally remains low. Ongoing conflict, displacement, and population movements hamper efforts to control the disease. Response teams also face challenges like damaged facilities, staffing shortages, and limited access to some communities. These issues complicate contact tracing, patient transportation, and the delivery of essential supplies.
Contact tracing remains insufficient
Authorities identified 17,863 contacts across the five affected provinces. Response teams actively monitored 13,455 of these individuals. Thousands remain outside regular follow-up. The outbreak has infected 151 health workers and caused 44 deaths. Meanwhile, 68 health workers have recovered. The government and partners continue to improve laboratory testing, patient care, and infection control. They also support logistics, safe burials, public information campaigns, and community outreach in areas with active transmission.
Bundibugyo virus spreads through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, organs, or contaminated materials. Symptoms may appear between two and 21 days after exposure. Patients are not contagious before symptoms emerge. Early signs include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, and a sore throat. There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain. Rapid testing, isolation, supportive care, contact tracing, and safe burials are essential to limit transmission.
Regional health authorities remain alert
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak an international public health emergency on May 17. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention followed with a continental emergency declaration the next day. Uganda ended its local outbreak on July 28 after 42 days without new transmissions. Authorities there maintain heightened surveillance because people frequently cross the border with eastern DR Congo. They continue screening, preparedness, and laboratory measures in communities connected to affected regions.
By July 30, authorities confirmed 3,626 cases and 1,589 deaths across all affected countries. DR Congo reported 3,605 cases, Uganda 20, and France one. Nearly 651 patients recovered in DR Congo, while 18 recovered in Uganda. Two patients diagnosed in DR Congo received treatment in Germany. Most infections and fatalities are still concentrated in eastern DR Congo, where health teams persist with surveillance, clinical care, and community response activities.