GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen a significant escalation, with the majority of fatalities reported occurring outside healthcare facilities. The International Organization for Migration indicated that approximately 60% of reported deaths happened within communities. Additionally, they noted about a 70% increase in confirmed cases over the past two weeks. Health services are registering over 40 new cases daily. Ongoing conflict and displacement have hindered access to medical care in affected regions.
By mid-July, the World Health Organization documented 2,145 confirmed Ebola cases and 830 fatalities across all impacted nations. Of these, DR Congo reported 2,124 cases and 828 deaths as of July 15. Uganda had documented 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, while France reported one imported case. Recovery figures included at least 410 patients, with 390 in DR Congo and 18 in Uganda. The total global count also incorporated two patients diagnosed in DR Congo who later received treatment in Germany.
The Ebola outbreak has spread across 46 health zones within the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, and Tshopo. During the last 21 days, 38 zones have reported cases. Ituri remains the epicenter, accounting for nearly 90% of confirmed infections and over 83% of deaths. The largest case numbers in the province have been recorded in Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu. These five provinces are critical due to their key internal and cross-border travel routes.
Community deaths place additional pressure on outbreak response efforts
The migration agency highlighted that insecurity, displacement, and limited healthcare access are hampering early detection and treatment efforts. These obstacles obscure the full extent of transmission in some areas. The agency manages facilities accommodating nearly 150,000 internally displaced persons in eastern DR Congo. Overcrowded conditions and frequent population movements complicate efforts to conduct screening, contact tracing, and referral to treatment centers. The organization has called for enhanced surveillance at border crossings and along the Congo River.
By July 15, health authorities had identified 12,693 contacts for follow-up in Ituri, North Kivu, and Tshopo. Response teams had managed to reach 10,195 contacts through monitoring and field visits. The outbreak has affected 119 healthcare workers, resulting in 36 deaths, with 61 workers having recovered. Currently, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected body fluids or contaminated materials.
Uganda initiates intensified surveillance phase
Uganda reported no new confirmed cases after June 21 and discharged its last patient on July 16. This marked the beginning of a 42-day period of heightened surveillance before the authorities can officially declare the outbreak over. No community transmission has been identified in Uganda, where cases have been linked to cross-border movement and healthcare exposure. France also reported no secondary cases following the recovery and discharge of its imported patient on July 4. Uganda’s recoveries included 18 out of 20 confirmed cases.
Concurrently, Congolese health officials, WHO, and response partners are maintaining active surveillance, testing, case management, contact tracing, and community engagement efforts. Teams are also supporting safe burials and infection prevention measures within health facilities. WHO assesses the outbreak risk as very high in DR Congo, high in Uganda and neighboring countries, and low worldwide. The organization has not advised any travel or trade restrictions based on current data. Response teams continue to bolster cross-border preparedness and laboratory testing efforts across affected and at-risk regions.