KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – As of August 7, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in 1,916 deaths, according to official data. The authorities have reported a total of 4,209 confirmed infections since the outbreak began. This latest figure indicates an increase of 29 deaths compared to the previous total of 1,887. Additionally, 595 patients are under treatment in isolation, and 828 individuals have recovered.
In the eastern provinces, Ituri continues to be the most severely impacted, with 3,636 confirmed cases and 1,551 fatalities. North Kivu follows with 470 cases and 315 deaths. Haut Uele has reported 91 infections and 44 deaths, while Tshopo has seen nine cases and five deaths. South Kivu has 3 cases and one death. Overall, the outbreak now spans 53 of the 140 health zones across the five provinces reporting confirmed cases.
The latest daily update recorded 89 new confirmed cases and 21 additional deaths nationwide. Of these new cases, 73 occurred in Ituri. North Kivu documented 12 more cases, and Haut Uele added four. Health authorities are actively monitoring 83.4% of identified contacts across the affected regions. Efforts continue to reconcile surveillance, laboratory, and clinical records as authorities update case and death figures.
Ituri remains the epicenter of the ongoing outbreak
The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was officially confirmed in May following laboratory tests identifying Bundibugyo virus. The Ministry of Health has coordinated activities including surveillance, testing, isolation, contact tracing, and patient treatment across the affected areas. Infection prevention strategies and safe burial practices are also being implemented to prevent further spread. The virus has spread across several eastern provinces, where insecurity, population movement, and overburdened health systems can hinder routine disease control efforts.
Ebola symptoms typically include fever, severe weakness, body pain, vomiting, and other serious health issues. In some cases, bleeding develops as the illness advances. This outbreak marks the country’s 17th recorded Ebola event since scientists identified the virus in 1976. The World Health Organization is actively supporting response measures such as case detection, laboratory testing, patient care, and infection control as health teams continue to monitor transmission across multiple provinces.
Bundibugyo virus remains without a licensed vaccine
Bundibugyo virus differs from the Zaire Ebola strain targeted by licensed vaccines. Currently, no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists for Bundibugyo virus disease. Medical teams mainly provide supportive care such as hydration, symptom management, and close patient monitoring. Ongoing research is exploring potential vaccines and investigational therapies. By late July, Uganda had confirmed 20 Bundibugyo cases and two deaths, with no new cases reported there after June 21.
This outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo represents the largest epidemic caused by Bundibugyo virus and is the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record in terms of confirmed cases. The majority of infections and fatalities are concentrated in Ituri and North Kivu. Authorities continue laboratory testing, contact tracing, isolation, and patient care, while updating the national case and death counts as new data is received through ongoing surveillance efforts.