KINSHASA, DR CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has become the country’s largest recorded epidemic. Health authorities counted 3,605 confirmed cases through July 30, including 1,587 deaths. The case fatality rate stood at 44%. Teams logged 567 infections and 296 deaths during the latest full reporting week. Those figures marked the highest weekly totals since the outbreak began. The surge placed further pressure on surveillance, treatment and community response operations.
Cases now span 49 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé and Tshopo. Thirty-three zones reported active transmission during the latest seven-day period. They registered 641 cases and 282 deaths. Ituri remained the outbreak’s center, with 3,176 infections, or 88% of the national total. Bunia recorded the largest caseload. Rwampara, Mongbwalu, Nizi, Lita and Nyankunde also reported substantial numbers as health teams expanded tracing and testing.
The World Health Organization rates the risk inside DR Congo as very high. It also considers the threat high for Uganda and other countries bordering affected areas. The wider African and global risk levels remain low. Conflict, displacement and regular population movement continue to hinder disease control work. Response teams also face damaged facilities, staffing shortages and restricted access to some communities. These conditions have complicated contact tracing, patient transport and the delivery of essential supplies.
Contact tracing falls short of needs
Authorities identified 17,863 contacts across the five affected provinces. Response teams actively monitored 13,455 of them, leaving thousands outside regular follow-up. The outbreak has infected 151 health workers and killed 44. Another 68 health workers have recovered. The government and its partners continue to strengthen laboratory testing, patient care and infection controls. They also support logistics, safe burials, public information campaigns and outreach in communities facing active transmission.
Bundibugyo virus disease spreads through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, organs or contaminated materials. Symptoms can develop between two and 21 days after exposure. Patients do not transmit the virus before symptoms appear. Early signs include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headaches and a sore throat. No approved vaccine or specific treatment exists for this strain. Rapid testing, isolation, supportive care, contact tracing and safe burials remain the main tools for limiting transmission.
Regional health agencies maintain vigilance
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak an international public health emergency on May 17. Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention issued a continental emergency declaration the following day. Uganda ended its domestic outbreak on July 28 after 42 days without local transmission. Officials there continue enhanced surveillance because people regularly cross the border with eastern DR Congo. Health authorities also maintain screening, preparedness and laboratory measures in areas connected to affected communities.
Across all affected countries, authorities confirmed 3,626 cases and 1,589 deaths by July 30. DR Congo accounted for 3,605 cases, while Uganda recorded 20 and France reported one. At least 651 patients recovered in DR Congo, and 18 recovered in Uganda. Two patients diagnosed in DR Congo received treatment in Germany. Most infections and deaths remained concentrated in eastern DR Congo, where health teams continue surveillance, clinical care and community response activities.