BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization announced that 80% of recent Ebola cases in eastern Congo originated from unidentified transmission routes. These patients did not appear on contact tracing lists linked to previously confirmed cases. Health teams only identified many cases after symptoms, testing, or fatalities triggered new alerts. WHO highlighted that this surveillance gap remains one of the most critical challenges in controlling the outbreak. The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola.
According to the latest national report, Congolese health officials recorded 2,011 confirmed infections and 754 fatalities as of July 13. The most recent daily update documented 54 new cases and 28 deaths. Authorities have kept 753 individuals in isolation, while 366 have recovered. Response teams are monitoring 67.4% of identified contacts in Ituri, North Kivu, and Haut-Uele. Typically, contact monitoring continues for 21 days following the last known exposure.
Contact tracing enables health workers to oversee exposed individuals and facilitate prompt testing once symptoms appear. WHO reported that 92.3% of the 430 death investigations up to July 5 occurred either in communities or before hospital admission. This indicates delays in detection, referral, isolation, and access to healthcare. Ebola transmits through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, as well as via contaminated objects or contact with someone who succumbed to the disease.
Outbreak Extends Across Five Congolese Provinces
Ituri continues to be the epicenter, with 1,808 confirmed cases and 631 deaths. The province has reported infections across 26 of its 36 health zones. North Kivu has documented 182 cases and 106 deaths across 11 zones. South Kivu reported three cases and one death. Haut-Uele recorded 14 cases and 13 deaths, while Tshopo reported four cases and three deaths. Overall, 45 of the 140 health zones across these five provinces have reported infections.
Uganda had reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths by July 14, with 17 recoveries. The last confirmed case in Uganda was on June 21. Of these cases, 15 had travel links to Congo, and five involved local transmission. Officials confirmed no documented community spread within Uganda. They also traced imported cases involving travelers or aid workers leaving affected areas in Congo, leading to isolation, specialized treatment, and contact monitoring in the destination countries.
Expanding Diagnostics and Therapeutic Research Efforts
Bundibugyo virus currently lacks a licensed vaccine or approved targeted therapy. Treatment primarily involves rapid diagnosis, isolation, fluid replacement, oxygen therapy, electrolyte management, and other supportive care. WHO approved the first molecular diagnostic test for the virus on its Emergency Use Listing on July 2. This test detects viral genetic material in blood samples. Laboratory capacity in affected regions has grown to 10 sites, with the ability to perform over 2,000 tests daily. Additionally, researchers launched the PARTNERS trial to assess remdesivir and the monoclonal antibody MBP134.
Congolese authorities, WHO, and Africa CDC are working together on surveillance, laboratory testing, clinical management, safe burials, contact tracing, and community engagement. Challenges include insecurity, population displacement, and high movement along mining and trade routes, which hamper access to some communities and healthcare facilities. WHO reported receiving about 40% of a $115 million emergency funding appeal for the response. Officials continue prioritizing early detection and rapid isolation, as most new cases are outside known transmission chains.