Kinshasa: The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has crossed 8,000 confirmed cases, with the latest government figures showing 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has become the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The latest figures come as health authorities continue efforts to contain the disease in several parts of the country.
The figures represent a further increase from the latest detailed update published by the World Health Organization on September 23. At that time, the WHO had recorded 7,890 confirmed cases and 3,799 deaths.
The outbreak was declared in May in the eastern province of Ituri, which remains the main centre of transmission. It has since spread across 63 health zones in seven provinces.
Ituri had recorded 6,032 confirmed cases by September 23, making it the most affected province. Health authorities have reported some signs of a decline in transmission there, although the number of infections remains high.
North Kivu has become an area of increasing concern. The province had recorded 1,480 confirmed cases by September 23, with transmission rising sharply in recent weeks.
The outbreak has also reached new areas. The Bulu health zone in Sud Ubangi and the Dungu health zone in Haut Uele were recently added to the list of affected areas. Dungu is close to the border with South Sudan, while Sud Ubangi is in the northwestern part of the country.
The geographical expansion has increased concerns about possible cross border transmission. Health authorities and international organisations have been strengthening surveillance and preparedness in neighbouring countries.
The current outbreak is different from the major Ebola epidemic that affected eastern Congo between 2018 and 2020. That outbreak was caused by the Zaire species of Ebola virus. The present outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, a different species.
The current outbreak has already surpassed the previous record for an Ebola outbreak in Congo. The 2018 to 2020 outbreak recorded about 3,400 cases and more than 2,200 deaths.
The outbreak is also taking place in difficult conditions. Conflict, insecurity and population displacement in parts of eastern Congo have made it harder for health workers to find cases, trace contacts and provide treatment.
Contact tracing remains a major challenge. More than 32,000 contacts were listed for follow up in the latest WHO update, with health teams monitoring most of them.
Community cooperation is also important in controlling the spread of the virus. Ebola can be transmitted through contact with the body fluids of infected people, including after death. Safe and dignified burials are therefore an important part of the response.
Health officials have reported cases where local concerns about burial practices have made the work more difficult. WHO teams have worked with community leaders to adapt response measures while maintaining safety.
The outbreak has also raised questions about vaccination. There is currently no vaccine specifically approved for protection against Bundibugyo virus disease.
The WHO and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have allocated 70,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine for Congo. Part of the allocation is being used in a clinical trial to study whether the vaccine can protect against Bundibugyo virus, while doses have also been allocated for frontline workers and health workers. Its effectiveness against Bundibugyo virus in humans has not yet been established.
The situation also has a regional dimension. Uganda previously reported Ebola cases linked to the wider outbreak in eastern Congo. Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths, and declared its outbreak over on August 27.
The geographical spread in Congo has increased concern about the possibility of further transmission across its borders. The WHO has assessed the risk as very high in the Democratic Republic of Congo and high in countries sharing a land border with the country. The risk remains low in the rest of Africa and globally.
The 8,067 confirmed cases make the current outbreak the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in Congo. Globally, however, it remains smaller than the 2014 to 2016 Ebola epidemic in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, which recorded more than 28,600 cases and more than 11,000 deaths.
Health authorities continue to focus on early detection, treatment, contact tracing, infection prevention and community engagement. While some areas are showing signs of improvement, the expansion into new health zones and continued transmission in parts of eastern Congo mean that the outbreak remains a major public health emergency.