Overview
- The Congolese government reports 3,532 confirmed infections and 1,556 deaths, with about 807 patients hospitalized and a reported case‑fatality rate of 44.1 percent.
- Laboratory testing identifies the Bundibugyo variant as the cause, and there is currently no authorized vaccine or specific antiviral for this strain.
- The epidemic began in Ituri and has spread to multiple provinces and across the border into Uganda, which discharged its last patient and completed the required 42‑day surveillance period to be declared Ebola‑free.
- Response teams say violence, attacks on health centres, population displacement, community distrust and cuts to humanitarian funding are limiting contact tracing, case detection and patient care despite a reported 78.7 percent contact‑tracing rate.
- WHO, Africa CDC, MSF and other aid groups are supporting surveillance, treatment centres and supplies but WHO rates the regional risk as high, meaning more resources and safer access will be needed to slow further spread.