KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed 1,916 people, according to official figures through Aug. 7. Authorities have confirmed 4,209 infections during the outbreak. The latest total is 29 deaths above the previously reported figure of 1,887. Officials also reported 595 patients receiving care in isolation and 828 people who had recovered.
Ituri remains the hardest-hit province, with 3,636 confirmed cases and 1,551 deaths. North Kivu follows with 470 cases and 315 deaths. Haut Uele has recorded 91 infections and 44 deaths, while Tshopo has reported nine cases and five deaths. South Kivu has registered three cases and one death. The outbreak has now affected 53 of 140 health zones across the five provinces reporting confirmed infections.
The most recent daily update added 89 confirmed cases and 21 deaths to the national count. Ituri accounted for 73 of those newly confirmed infections. North Kivu reported another 12 cases, while Haut Uele added four. Health teams were following 83.4% of identified contacts across affected areas. Authorities continue to reconcile surveillance, laboratory and clinical records as they update case and mortality figures.
Ituri remains center of expanding outbreak
The Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed the outbreak in May after laboratory testing identified Bundibugyo virus. The country’s Ministry of Health has coordinated surveillance, testing, isolation, contact tracing and clinical care across affected areas. Teams also use infection prevention measures and safe burial procedures to limit further transmission. The outbreak has spread across several eastern provinces, where insecurity, population movement and strained health services can complicate routine disease-control operations.
Ebola can cause fever, severe weakness, body pain, vomiting and other serious symptoms. Some patients also develop bleeding as the illness progresses. The current outbreak marks the country’s 17th recorded Ebola outbreak since scientists identified the virus in 1976. The World Health Organization has supported response activities involving case detection, laboratory testing, patient care and infection control as health teams track transmission across multiple provinces.
Bundibugyo virus has no licensed vaccine
Bundibugyo virus differs from the Zaire Ebola species targeted by existing licensed vaccines. No licensed vaccine or specifically approved treatment currently exists for Bundibugyo virus disease. Medical teams rely on supportive care, including hydration, symptom management and close monitoring of patients. Research programs continue to evaluate candidate vaccines and investigational treatments. Uganda had recorded 20 confirmed Bundibugyo cases and two deaths by late July, with no new confirmed case reported there after June 21.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo outbreak is the largest documented epidemic caused by Bundibugyo virus. It has also become the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record by confirmed case count. Transmission remains concentrated in Ituri and North Kivu, which account for most infections and deaths. Health authorities continue laboratory testing, contact monitoring, isolation and patient care while updating national totals as new surveillance information enters the reporting system.