Ebola outbreak in DRC surpasses 1,300 cases and nearly 400 deaths

By The Inspirer.

The Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has surpassed 1,300 confirmed cases and nearly 400 deaths, according to the latest regional situation update, as health authorities and partners intensify response efforts across affected and at-risk countries.

The outbreak, which was officially declared by the DRC government on May 15, has been confirmed to be caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease.

As of June 29, a total of 1,333 confirmed cases and 399 confirmed deaths had been reported in the DRC. In neighbouring Uganda, 20 confirmed cases and two deaths have been recorded, with health authorities linking the infections to cross-border transmission originating from the DRC, including imported cases and secondary infections among contacts and healthcare workers.

Within the DRC, the outbreak remains concentrated in Ituri Province, though confirmed cases have also been reported in Haut-Uele, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces, indicating continued geographic spread within eastern regions of the country.

In South Sudan, no confirmed cases have been reported so far. However, health officials warn that the risk of outbreak remains elevated due to high population mobility and porous borders with the DRC.

Regional response efforts are currently focused on strengthening case management, infection prevention and control (IPC), screening and triage, risk communication, and community engagement, alongside preparedness planning and frontline health worker training.

Across the region, response teams are supporting 80 health facilities involved in Ebola screening, identification, and treatment. To date, more than 53,000 screenings have been conducted, while 314 patients have received treatment, including 110 confirmed cases.

In the DRC alone, 403 health workers have been trained in Ebola case management, transmission prevention, and response protocols, as part of ongoing capacity-building efforts.

Humanitarian partners, including International Medical Corps, are working with ministries of health and other stakeholders under a hub-and-spoke operational model. The approach supports Ebola treatment and transit facilities, strengthens infection prevention measures in referral health centres, and enhances community-based screening and risk communication.

Additional interventions include mental health and psychosocial support, logistics coordination, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and efforts to maintain continuity of essential health services in affected areas. Authorities are also reinforcing contact tracing systems to reduce the risk of undetected transmission.

In Uganda, ongoing support focuses on preparedness and response activities, including screening at transit points, infection prevention and control assessments, supervision of health facilities, and community awareness campaigns.

In South Sudan, preparedness measures are being strengthened, including rehabilitation of infectious disease units, training of frontline health workers, and pre-positioning of essential supplies such as personal protective equipment to improve readiness in the event of an outbreak.

Health partners continue to stress the importance of coordinated regional action to contain the outbreak and prevent further cross-border transmission, as surveillance and response operations are scaled up across the Great Lakes region.