The Ebola outbreak declared in eastern Congo in mid-May has resulted in at least 930 deaths from 2,344 confirmed cases as of Saturday, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. The surge includes 37 deaths recorded over a recent 24-hour span Friday into Saturday, representing one of the highest single-day tallies since the outbreak began.
The strain responsible for this outbreak is the Bundibugyo virus, a less commonly occurring variant of Ebola for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists. The outbreak has been characterized as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. The disease spreads through contact with bodily fluids and contaminated materials, and transmission can occur between humans as well as from wild animals to people.
The response to the outbreak has faced significant obstacles in affected areas. Five provinces in eastern Congo have been impacted, a region experiencing substantial rebel violence. Health authorities reported at least 12 attacks on health facilities and teams since mid-May, many driven by public skepticism and misinformation. Additionally, numerous health workers have abandoned their posts citing lack of compensation, and at least 36 health workers have died from the virus.
The World Health Organization raised concerns last week that approximately 80% of new cases involve unknown transmission chains, indicating the outbreak is spreading faster than officials can track. The health ministry reported that 724 patients are currently hospitalized or in isolation and noted 22 recoveries recorded in a recent 24-hour period, as it intensifies response efforts across affected zones.