Overview
- WHO said Tuesday that the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is expanding beyond current response capacity and urgently requested more funding and operational support.
- Authorities report 3,748 confirmed cases with 1,657 deaths, about 227 suspected cases under investigation, and roughly 17,000 contacts being followed with more than 80% receiving daily checks.
- Nearly 90% of cases are concentrated in Ituri province, with most of the remainder in North Kivu and additional cases reported across five provinces.
- The outbreak is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain for which there is no licensed vaccine or treatment, though clinical trials of candidate vaccines, therapies and post‑exposure antivirals are under way.
- Humanitarian groups and health teams say gaps in contact tracing, treatment beds, safe-burial teams and community engagement are worsening spread and that failing to send staff and supplies quickly will hinder containment.