DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Tops 7,200 Cases Amid Attacks on Burial Teams

Ebola burial teams are facing attacks in Butembo, Congo, as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) grapples with its largest recorded Ebola outbreak.

The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain for which no approved vaccines or specific treatments exist, has seen infections top 7,200 cases. Health authorities reported on Monday that 3,475 lives have been claimed, resulting in an overall case fatality rate of 48.3%. A total of 1,712 patients have recovered, while 923 remain in isolation or hospital care, with 88% of identified contacts currently monitored.

The virus has been detected in 62 health zones across seven provinces, with Ituri remaining the main hotspot, followed by North Kivu. Sud-Ubangi is among the areas more recently affected. Congolese Health Minister Roger Kamba stated on Monday that transmission of the Bundibugyo strain is showing signs of slowing, with daily infections decreasing from approximately 120 at the peak in mid-August to about 80.

He noted no new infections have been detected for at least 22 days in ten of the 62 affected health zones, including six that have gone more than 42 days without a new infection. Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya expanded the broader Ebola response plan from $518 million to $1.4 billion. In June, Kaseya warned that only 13% of roughly $910 million pledged by donors had been released, emphasizing that the outbreak could not be stopped without sufficient funding and measures to address the humanitarian situation.

African countries had pledged $120 million toward the response, of which $90 million had already been disbursed. Ebola has also been detected in schools in Ituri following the post-summer holiday return to classes.