The Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to expand, with more than 1,500 confirmed cases recorded and the full scale of the epidemic yet to be determined, a World Health Organization (WHO) official said on earlier this week.
Dr. Anne Ancia, WHO Representative to the DRC, said the government had reported 1,561 confirmed Ebola cases as of 4 July, including 506 deaths and 254 recoveries.
More than 10,000 people identified as contacts of confirmed cases are under monitoring, with an overall follow-up rate of 82%, she said during a press briefing in Geneva.
“The outbreak is still in the expansion phase,” Ancia said, adding that WHO and Congolese authorities were intensifying efforts to trace chains of transmission, isolate contacts and strengthen surveillance.
The response has been complicated by population displacement, insecurity and a fragile healthcare system, while concurrent outbreaks of malaria and measles continue to strain health services.
Treatment centres with about 700 beds have been established across 22 facilities, with plans to add another 300 beds. Existing centres are operating at around 90% capacity, placing increasing pressure on the response.
Ancia said she had recently visited treatment centres in Bunia, Beni, Butembo and Katwah, where she met frontline health workers involved in patient care, contact tracing and community engagement.
“I witnessed first-hand the dedication of staff who continue to serve their communities despite enormous challenges,” she said.
WHO said laboratory capacity has expanded dramatically since the outbreak began, increasing from about 30 tests per day in Kinshasa to more than 2,000 daily through a network of 10 decentralized laboratories in affected provinces. A new laboratory has opened in Bunia to speed up diagnosis and case management.
A clinical trial launched on 2 July is evaluating two experimental treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease: the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, administered separately or in combination. More than 1,200 treatment doses are available, while preparations are also underway for a preventive trial led by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale and its partners.
WHO said early diagnosis and access to supportive care remain critical to improving survival, while community engagement is essential to interrupt transmission.
The agency has appealed for USD115 million to support its response in the DRC but has so far received only 32% of the required funding.
Responding to questions, Ancia said WHO was working with local communities in displacement camps to improve awareness and gain access for healthcare workers while respecting cultural practices.
She also acknowledged recent strikes by some health workers over delayed payments but said discussions with staff representatives had led many to resume work. WHO is working to ensure payment delays do not undermine the outbreak response.
Additional health workers are being deployed from other regions to relieve exhausted staff, while a new treatment centre has been opened in Sota to provide care closer to affected communities and train local personnel.
Authorities are also working with the governor of Ituri province to reduce population movement where necessary while respecting human rights. However, shortages of ambulances, healthcare workers and hospital capacity continue to hamper the response.
WHO said preparedness efforts are being strengthened in provinces that have not yet reported cases, including South Kivu, where laboratories have been established as a precaution. Community outreach involving religious leaders is also being expanded to improve public awareness and support the Ebola response
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