Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola Outbreak Death Toll Surpasses 600 Amid Ongoing Surge

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has now claimed 600 lives, according to updated figures published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday – with the death toll rising by just over 100 in the space of a few days.

The latest reports show that there have been 1,759 confirmed cases of Ebola in the DRC since the outbreak was officially declared in mid-May. Of these, 600 cases have resulted in fatalities, bringing the outbreak’s fatality rate to 34%.

In addition to the fatalities in the DRC, two more deaths have been reported in Uganda, where 17 out of 20 confirmed patients have recovered from the virus.

Anne Ancia, WHO’s representative in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said on Tuesday that the outbreak continues to expand, and its true scale has not yet been fully established.

“The outbreak is still spreading, and we are facing significant challenges in controlling it,” Ancia said during a press conference. She added that the situation remains unstable, despite efforts to contain the virus and improve response measures.

According to the WHO’s data, 285 patients have successfully recovered from the virus in the DRC, while 304 suspected cases remain under investigation. The Congolese government’s latest report, released late Wednesday, indicated that two new suspected cases were reported in Kisangani, in the Tshopo province—a region where cases had not previously been recorded.

Of the two suspected cases in Tshopo, one was linked to the Nia-Nia health zone in Ituri province, where the outbreak first emerged. The other case, however, does not appear to be linked to known outbreak areas, and authorities are continuing their investigation.

A Total of 285 Patients Recover, 304 Suspected Cases Investigated

A report from the WHO on the DRC’s response to the outbreak reveals that the DRC has had a case fatality rate of 34%. About 285 patients have made a full recovery, and the health authorities are monitoring 304 suspected cases, working to contain the spread of the virus.

The Congolese authorities report that the outbreak is concentrated in four provinces, with the epicenter being in Ituri province.

The virus strain currently spreading in the DRC is a rare species known as Bundibugyo, for which no approved vaccines or treatments are currently available.

On July 2, clinical trials were launched in the country to evaluate the effectiveness of two potential treatments: the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, both used alone and in combination.

Ebola is known to spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals.

Outbreak in “expansion phase”

The outbreak, now designated as the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC, was declared on May 15 following several deaths in Ituri province. Ituri, a region heavily affected by armed groups, has been at the center of the outbreak’s spread.

Dr. Ancia stated that the outbreak is currently in its “expansion phase,” and while efforts are ongoing to control it, it has not yet reached a stage where it can be considered stabilized. “We would like to say it is stabilising, but frankly, we cannot say that yet,” she said during a conference.

The outbreak continues to spread, with transmission still occurring in various regions.

Speaking from Bunia, the capital of Ituri, Ancia highlighted the major obstacles facing the response efforts. These include population movements due to insecurity, the fragile health infrastructure, and the complex social dynamics of the region.

“Population movements, persistent insecurity, and the fragility of the health system continue to complicate our efforts to control the outbreak,” she stated.

The WHO has reported that there are now approximately 700 beds available across 22 treatment centers in the affected areas, with efforts underway to expand the capacity by an additional 300 beds. However, the treatment centers are currently operating at around 90% capacity, placing significant pressure on the healthcare system, according to Ancia.

In addition to the Ebola crisis, the DRC continues to face other health challenges, including malaria and measles.

More than 10,000 contacts of infected individuals are currently being monitored, with a follow-up rate of 82%. The WHO has emphasized that achieving a follow-up rate of 95% is crucial to effectively managing and eventually containing the outbreak.

France’s First Detected Ebola Patient Recovers and Leaves Hospital

In a positive development, France’s first detected Ebola patient has recovered and has been discharged from the hospital, according to French health officials. The patient was monitored and treated under strict protocols before being released in stable condition.

Laboratory capacity has significantly improved in the DRC, with testing capabilities increasing from 30 tests per day in Kinshasa to over 2,000 tests daily in decentralized labs across the affected provinces. This improvement has been vital in identifying and isolating cases quickly to prevent further spread.

However, the WHO has expressed that it still requires $115 million for the ongoing Ebola response, of which only 32% has been received to date.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)

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