KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – Ebola has claimed 1,916 lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to official data up to Aug. 7. The health authorities have documented 4,209 cases during this outbreak. The current total exceeds the previous count of 1,887 by 29 deaths. Additionally, 595 patients are in isolation while 828 have recovered.
Ituri remains the most affected province, reporting 3,636 confirmed infections and 1,551 fatalities. North Kivu follows with 470 cases and 315 deaths. Haut Uele has documented 91 infections and 44 deaths, Tshopo 9 cases and 5 deaths, and South Kivu 3 cases with 1 death. Overall, 53 out of 140 health zones across five provinces are impacted by the outbreak.
The latest update for the day recorded 89 new confirmed cases and 21 additional deaths nationwide. Of these, 73 new infections were in Ituri, with North Kivu adding 12 and Haut Uele four. Contact tracing efforts cover 83.4% of identified contacts. Authorities are also updating case and death data by reconciling surveillance, laboratory, and clinical records.
Ituri remains the epicenter of the expanding crisis
The outbreak was officially recognized in May when laboratory tests identified Bundibugyo virus. The Ministry of Health is actively managing surveillance, testing, isolation, contact tracing, and clinical care in affected areas. Measures for infection prevention and safe burials are being implemented to curb further transmission. The virus has spread to several eastern provinces, where insecurity, mobility, and strained healthcare services challenge containment efforts.
Ebola typically presents with fever, severe weakness, body pains, vomiting, and other serious symptoms, with some patients developing bleeding as the disease advances. This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in the country since the virus was first identified in 1976. The World Health Organization supports response efforts that include case detection, lab testing, patient management, and infection control as transmission is monitored across multiple provinces.
Bundibugyo virus lacks a licensed vaccine
Bundibugyo virus is distinct from the Zaire Ebola strain, which has licensed vaccines. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease. Care mainly involves supportive measures like hydration, symptom relief, and close patient monitoring. Ongoing research evaluates candidate vaccines and experimental therapies. By late July, Uganda reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, with no new cases after June 21.
The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest recorded for Bundibugyo virus and ranks as the second-largest Ebola outbreak globally by confirmed cases. Most infections and deaths are concentrated in Ituri and North Kivu. Health authorities continue laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and patient care while updating national figures as new surveillance data comes in.