The death toll from the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has crossed 500, with health authorities reporting continued community transmission of the virus.
According to a report released by Congolese health authorities, the country has recorded 1,561 confirmed Ebola cases, including 506 deaths. A total of 254 patients have recovered, while 628 confirmed patients remain in isolation or under treatment.
Authorities have also identified 354 suspected cases, including 110 deaths.
The outbreak has spread across 36 health zones in three provinces, with weekly confirmed cases rising sharply. Epidemiological weeks 25 and 26 recorded the highest number of cases since the outbreak began, with each week reporting more than 300 confirmed infections.
The 17th Ebola epidemic in DRC, officially declared on May 15, is caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) has started clinical trials in Ituri Province to test potential treatments for the rare strain and has authorised emergency use of the first molecular diagnostic test.
Health officials are yet to identify the outbreak’s first patient and are working to trace thousands of contacts. The mining town of Mongbwalu in Ituri, considered the outbreak’s starting point, has reported a high fatality rate of 50.7%.
The crisis has been further complicated by a possible strike by frontline health workers over unpaid benefits, low salaries, poor working conditions and shortages of essential supplies.
The outbreak has also affected areas near North Kivu and South Kivu, where security challenges have impacted health operations.
