KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in 1,916 deaths, as per official statistics updated through August 7. The authorities have verified a total of 4,209 cases during this period. The overall toll has increased by 29 from the previous figure of 1,887. Additionally, 595 individuals are currently receiving treatment in isolation, and 828 have recovered from the disease.
Ituri remains the most severely affected region, with 3,636 confirmed cases and 1,551 fatalities. North Kivu comes next, with 470 cases and 315 deaths. Haut Uele reports 91 infections and 44 deaths, while Tshopo has identified nine cases with five fatalities. South Kivu has recorded three cases and one death. Overall, the outbreak has impacted 53 out of 140 health zones across the five provinces reporting confirmed infections.
The latest daily report added 89 new confirmed cases and 21 deaths to the national totals. Of these, Ituri accounted for 73 of the newly confirmed infections. North Kivu detected an additional 12 cases, and Haut Uele reported four more. Health teams are actively monitoring 83.4% of contacts identified across the affected regions. Authorities are continuously reconciling surveillance, laboratory, and clinical data as they update figures related to cases and fatalities.
Ituri remains the epicenter of the expanding outbreak
The Democratic Republic of the Congo announced the outbreak in May following laboratory confirmation of the Bundibugyo virus. The Ministry of Health has been overseeing efforts including surveillance, testing, isolation, contact tracing, and patient care in affected areas. Measures such as infection prevention protocols and safe burial procedures are also in place to curb further spread. The epidemic has extended across several eastern provinces, where factors like insecurity, population movements, and overwhelmed health systems complicate routine containment efforts.
Ebola virus disease can lead to symptoms such as fever, extreme weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, and other severe health issues. Some patients may experience bleeding as the disease advances. This outbreak marks the 17th recorded Ebola incident in the country since scientists first identified the virus in 1976. The World Health Organization has provided support for response activities, including case detection, laboratory testing, patient management, and infection control, as health teams track the virus’s spread across multiple provinces.
Bundibugyo virus currently lacks an approved vaccine
Bundibugyo virus is genetically distinct from the Zaire Ebola strain, which is targeted by existing licensed vaccines. No approved vaccines or specific treatments are yet available for Bundibugyo virus disease. Medical personnel mainly provide supportive care, including hydration, symptom management, and close monitoring. Research efforts are ongoing to evaluate potential vaccines and experimental therapies. By late July, Uganda had recorded 20 confirmed Bundibugyo cases with two deaths, with no new cases reported since June 21.
This outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest documented epidemic caused by Bundibugyo virus and ranks as the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in terms of confirmed cases. Most infections and fatalities are concentrated in Ituri and North Kivu. Authorities continue laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and patient treatment, updating national case counts as new surveillance data becomes available.