The Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen a surge in confirmed Ebola cases, reaching 550 with 101 deaths. Health authorities are concerned as the outbreak shows an upward trend. In the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, 35 new confirmed cases, including 10 deaths, were recorded recently.
The epidemic curve, though showing a slight decline, may not indicate a true slowdown in transmission but rather delayed laboratory updates. Currently, 309 individuals are in isolation or hospitalized, comprising 116 confirmed cases and 193 suspected cases. The contact follow-up rate in the affected provinces has reached 64.4%, with 5,418 contacts under observation and 3,489 already monitored.
Laboratory capacity in North Kivu is strained, with 183 pending test results due to a shortage of reagents. The ongoing Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, was officially declared by the DRC Health Ministry on May 15. The affected provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, are home to nearly 15 million people facing internal displacement and cross-border movements.
