BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization said 80% of new Ebola cases in eastern Congo came from unknown transmission chains. Those patients did not appear on contact lists connected to previously confirmed infections. Health teams learned of many cases only after symptoms, testing or deaths triggered new alerts. WHO said the surveillance gap remains one of the outbreak response’s most serious problems. The outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus, a rare Ebola species.
Congolese health authorities reported 2,011 confirmed cases and 754 deaths through July 13 in the latest national tally. The country recorded 54 new cases and 28 deaths in its most recent daily update. Authorities kept 753 patients in isolation, while 366 people had recovered. Response teams were following 67.4% of identified contacts in Ituri, North Kivu and Haut-Uele. Contact monitoring normally continues for 21 days after the last known exposure.
Contact tracing allows health workers to monitor exposed people and arrange testing quickly when symptoms develop. WHO said 92.3% of 430 investigated deaths through July 5 occurred in communities or before hospital admission. The finding reflects delays in detection, referral, isolation and access to medical care. Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. People can also contract the disease through contaminated objects or contact with someone who died from the infection.
Outbreak reaches five Congolese provinces
Ituri remained the center of the outbreak, with 1,808 confirmed cases and 631 deaths. The province had reported infections across 26 of its 36 health zones. North Kivu recorded 182 cases and 106 deaths across 11 health zones. South Kivu reported three cases and one death. Haut-Uele recorded 14 cases and 13 deaths, while Tshopo had four cases and three deaths. Overall, 45 of 140 health zones across the five provinces had reported infections.
Uganda had reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths by July 14, while 17 people had recovered. Uganda recorded its latest confirmed case on June 21. Fifteen cases had travel links to Congo, and five involved local transmission events. Officials found no documented community transmission in Uganda. Health authorities also tracked imported infections involving travelers or aid workers who left affected Congolese areas. Those cases prompted isolation, specialist treatment and contact monitoring in destination countries.
Response expands diagnostics and treatment research
Bundibugyo virus currently has no licensed vaccine or approved specific treatment. Care focuses on rapid diagnosis, isolation, fluids, oxygen, electrolyte replacement and other clinical support. WHO placed the first molecular diagnostic test for the virus on its Emergency Use Listing on July 2. The test identifies viral genetic material in blood samples. Laboratory capacity across affected provinces has expanded to 10 sites, with reported capacity above 2,000 tests daily. Researchers also opened the PARTNERS trial to evaluate remdesivir and the monoclonal antibody MBP134.
Congolese authorities, WHO and Africa CDC are coordinating surveillance, laboratory testing, clinical care, safe burials, contact tracing and community engagement. Response teams face insecurity, displacement and heavy movement through mining and trade routes. These conditions have disrupted access to some communities and health facilities. WHO said it had received about 40% of a $115 million appeal for the response. Officials continue to prioritize early detection and rapid isolation because most new patients remain outside known chains of transmission.