DR Congo Battles Ebola Outbreak, Government and M23 Rebels Agree Peace Roadmap

Pope Leo called for international action on Sunday to confront the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), where thousands have died.

DR Congo’s Health Ministry figures show 5,375 confirmed cases and 2,557 deaths, with a 47.6% case fatality rate. The outbreak, the country’s 17th, is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which no licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists. The World Health Organization (WHO) described it as the largest ever recorded in DR Congo, expanding faster than containment efforts.

United Nations Ebola coordinator Julien Harneis warned that violence against healthcare workers is hampering the response, with over 260 attacks in six months, killing eight workers. Harneis stated the epidemic, with 2,606 deaths among 5,458 confirmed cases, is growing exponentially. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also warned the outbreak is out of control and is the fastest moving Ebola epidemic seen.

On Friday, Kinshasa received 16,520 Ervebo vaccines, with 50,120 expected by August 24, though these were developed against a different Ebola virus species. Earlier this month, DR Congo authorities released 15 prisoners to M23.