Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda grows to 1,049 cases; 241 deaths
The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has grown to 1,049 suspected and confirmed cases, as WHO warns of rapid spread, cross-border transmission and major gaps in contact tracing. At least 241 deaths have been reported.
The latest figures were released on Tuesday, with Congo reporting 112 confirmed cases and 930 suspected cases. Uganda’s case count remains unchanged at seven confirmed cases, including one death.
Congo has reported 240 deaths, including 17 confirmed deaths and 223 suspected deaths. The outbreak has been reported in 13 health zones across three provinces.
In a weekly report released Tuesday, WHO said the outbreak continues to evolve rapidly, with increasing case numbers, wider geographic spread and evidence of ongoing cross-border transmission between Congo and Uganda.
A total of 2,231 contacts have been identified in Congo, but WHO said contact follow-up remains a major challenge. As of May 23, only 19.3% of contacts had reportedly been seen in the previous 24 hours.
WHO said response teams are facing insecurity, movement restrictions, highly mobile mining populations, difficulties tracing contacts across dispersed and cross-border communities, and a limited number of trained contact tracers.
WHO added that mining areas in Ituri Province may have helped the virus spread before the outbreak was detected, because workers and residents often move between mines, settlements and nearby towns. The agency identified Mongbwalu as the most important area for transmission, with cases overlapping heavily with mining activity and population movement.
Two other high-risk mining areas, Kibali and Muchacha, were identified as possible amplification or spillover zones.
Security incidents and community resistance have also disrupted the response in Ituri Province. WHO said three recent incidents have been reported in Mongbwalu and Rwampara health zones.
In Mongbwalu, 18 suspected patients left a treatment center after a security incident and the burning of one of three treatment tents, while other patients in Rwampara, Nyankunde and Hoho resisted or were removed from care under community pressure.
WHO said continued spread into major transport and commercial hubs, including Bunia, Goma and Kampala, combined with mining-related mobility, cross-border movement, surveillance gaps and incomplete contact tracing, increases the likelihood of sustained transmission and wider regional spread.
The outbreak was officially declared on May 15. It’s caused by Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus for which there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics. The virus can spread through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people or those who have died from the disease.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
