KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in 1,916 fatalities, according to official data compiled through August 7. The authorities have confirmed a total of 4,209 cases during this period. The current death toll is 29 higher than the previously reported figure of 1,887. Additionally, officials have indicated that 595 individuals are receiving treatment in isolation, while 828 have recovered.
Ituri continues to be the most affected region, with 3,636 confirmed cases and 1,551 deaths. North Kivu is the next most impacted with 470 cases and 315 deaths. Haut Uele has reported 91 infections and 44 fatalities, Tshopo has recorded nine cases and five deaths, and South Kivu has seen three cases with one death. The outbreak now spans 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 total. Of these, Ituri accounted for 73 of the newly confirmed infections. North Kivu recorded 12 additional cases, while Haut Uele reported four. Health teams are monitoring 83.4% of identified contacts across affected areas. Authorities continue to reconcile surveillance, laboratory, and clinical records as they update case and death figures.
Ituri remains the epicenter of the expanding outbreak
The Democratic Republic of the Congo identified the outbreak in May following laboratory confirmation of Bundibugyo virus. The country’s Ministry of Health has been overseeing surveillance efforts, testing, isolation, contact tracing, and clinical management in affected regions. Infection prevention protocols and safe burial practices are also being implemented to curb further transmission. The outbreak has spread across several eastern provinces, where insecurity, population movement, and overwhelmed health services complicate routine disease control efforts.
Ebola manifests through symptoms such as fever, intense weakness, body pain, vomiting, and other severe health issues. As the disease progresses, some patients develop bleeding. This outbreak is the country’s 17th recorded Ebola incident since scientists first identified the virus in 1976. The World Health Organization has been supporting response initiatives, including case detection, laboratory testing, patient care, and infection control measures, as health teams monitor transmission across multiple provinces.
Bundibugyo virus remains without an approved vaccine
Bundibugyo virus is distinct from the Zaire Ebola strain targeted by existing licensed vaccines. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine or approved treatment specifically for Bundibugyo virus disease. Medical personnel rely on supportive care, including hydration, symptom management, and close patient monitoring. Ongoing research continues to evaluate candidate vaccines and investigational therapies. By late July, Uganda had recorded 20 confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus and two deaths, with no new confirmed cases reported there after 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 on record by confirmed case count. Most infections and fatalities are concentrated in Ituri and North Kivu. Authorities maintain laboratory testing, contact tracing, patient isolation, and care efforts while updating national figures as new surveillance data are received.