BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization announced that 80% of new Ebola infections in eastern Congo stem from unknown transmission chains. These patients were not listed on contact tracing records linked to previously confirmed cases. Authorities only identified many of these cases after symptoms appeared, testing was conducted, or deaths occurred, prompting new alerts. WHO emphasized that this surveillance gap remains among the most critical challenges in controlling the outbreak. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola.
Health officials in Congo reported a total of 2,011 confirmed cases and 754 fatalities as of July 13. The latest daily update recorded 54 new infections and 28 deaths. Authorities are currently isolating 753 patients, with 366 having recovered. Contact tracing efforts are tracking 67.4% of identified contacts in regions including Ituri, North Kivu, and Haut-Uele. Monitoring of contacts typically continues for 21 days following the last known exposure.
Contact tracing helps health workers observe exposed individuals and facilitate prompt testing when symptoms develop. WHO noted that 92.3% of 430 suspected deaths examined up to July 5 occurred either in community settings 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. Transmission can also occur via contaminated objects or contact with individuals who have died from the disease.
Outbreak spreads across five provinces in Congo
Ituri remains the epicenter, with 1,808 confirmed cases and 631 deaths. The province has reported infections in 26 of its 36 health zones. North Kivu has documented 182 cases and 106 deaths across 11 zones. South Kivu has recorded three cases and one death. Haut-Uele reported 14 cases and 13 deaths, while Tshopo has four cases and three deaths. In total, 45 out of 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 recorded on June 21. Of these cases, 15 had links to Congo, while five resulted from local transmission. No documented community spread has been found in Uganda. Authorities also monitored imported cases involving travelers and aid workers leaving the affected regions in Congo. These cases led to isolation, treatment, and contact tracking in the respective countries.
Enhanced diagnostics and research into treatments underway
Bundibugyo virus currently lacks an approved vaccine or specific treatment. Patient care mainly involves rapid diagnosis, isolation, fluids, oxygen, electrolyte management, and supportive therapies. WHO added the first molecular diagnostic test for this virus to its Emergency Use Listing on July 2. This test detects viral genetic material in blood samples. Laboratory capacity in the affected areas has increased to 10 sites, capable of conducting over 2,000 tests daily. Researchers have also initiated the PARTNERS trial to assess the efficacy of remdesivir and the monoclonal antibody MBP134.
Congo’s health authorities, WHO, and Africa CDC are working together on surveillance, laboratory testing, clinical management, safe burials, contact tracing, and community engagement. Challenges include insecurity, displacement, and high movement along mining and trade routes, which hinder access to some communities and healthcare facilities. WHO reported receiving approximately 40% of a $115 million funding appeal for the response efforts. Officials continue focusing on early detection and swift isolation, as most new cases are still outside established transmission chains.