Overview
- As of early August, government and WHO figures put confirmed cases at about 3,800 and deaths near 1,700, with weekly case and death counts at their highest so far.
- Nearly 90 percent of infections are in Ituri province, but cases have been reported in five other provinces, raising the risk of wider spread from population movement and mining sites.
- Conflict, attacks on health facilities, protests and strikes by unpaid Ebola workers have disrupted contact tracing, safe burials and patient care, and have reduced access to hard‑hit communities.
- Because the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species, for which no licensed vaccines or proven treatments exist, WHO and partners have fast‑tracked trials: Phase I vaccine studies began in the UK and Canada and therapeutic and post‑exposure trials are enrolling patients in Ituri.
- Agencies warn response capacity and funding lag behind transmission and say more beds, labs, staff and financial support are urgently needed to prevent further escalation and cross‑border spread.