Congo: Congolese authorities have reported 72 new Ebola cases in 24 hours, marking one of the highest single-day increases since the latest outbreak was declared on May 15. The rise comes as weak contact tracing, insecurity and funding gaps continue to hamper response efforts.
The Congolese Ministry of Health said on Sunday that the new infections bring the total number of confirmed cases to 782, including 181 confirmed deaths after 32 additional fatalities were recorded. The outbreak is being caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, unlike the Zaire virus responsible for most of Congo’s previous 16 Ebola outbreaks.
Authorities believe the actual number of infections may be higher because the outbreak was confirmed weeks after it is suspected to have begun. The ministry also reported that contact tracing coverage has fallen to 56 per cent, while 56 people have recovered and the current fatality rate stands at 23 per cent.
The World Health Organisation said on Sunday it is intensifying testing, contact tracing and treatment efforts. Africa’s top health body also announced it is deploying technical expertise and supporting laboratory systems, active case finding and community engagement initiatives.
“We remain committed to supporting affected countries until transmission is stopped. We call on partners and donors to urgently mobilise resources to strengthen the response and save lives,” said Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The outbreak remains concentrated in Congo’s eastern Ituri province, which accounts for more than 90 per cent of reported cases. Infections have also been recorded in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces and have spread across the border to Uganda.
According to the UN humanitarian office, conflict-related displacement, difficult terrain and the movement of artisanal miners continue to complicate contact tracing and containment efforts.
