Congo Ebola outbreak surpasses 6,000 cases as attacks disrupt response efforts

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 6,000 confirmed cases, with 2,911 deaths reported as of Aug. 29, according to the country’s Ministry of Communication and Media. The fatality rate stands at 48.2%, with 1,366 recoveries and 619 patients currently hospitalized or in isolation across 60 health zones in six provinces.

The eastern province of Ituri, the epicenter of the outbreak, recorded 61 new infections in the past 24 hours, followed by North Kivu with 28 and Haut-Uélé with seven. Authorities stated that response teams are concentrating efforts in Ituri, North Kivu, and Haut-Uélé, while Tshopo, Bas-Uélé, and South Kivu remain affected, though the latter has not reported new cases in 90 days. The Ministry of Health noted no new health zones were affected, with hospital deaths decreasing from 14 to eight, though community deaths rose from 24 to 41 in recent days .

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, lacks approved treatments or vaccines, though the World Health Organization is testing two experimental vaccines in Phase 1 human trials, which have shown safety so far. Last week, Congo launched a vaccination campaign using Ervebo, a vaccine originally designed for the Zaire strain but showing potential against Bundibugyo .

Reuters confirmed the figures, reporting over 6,000 infections and nearly 2,900 deaths, marking the worst outbreak in Congo’s history. The WHO declared the outbreak in mid-May, but experts suspect cases may have emerged as early as February, with the virus spreading from three initial health zones to nearly 60 .

Security challenges have hindered response efforts. On Saturday, an Ebola response team was attacked near Mambasa in Ituri province while attempting to secure a funeral site. Armed individuals with machetes forced the team to flee, injuring one member, according to Floribert Magene, a team representative .

The WHO has warned the epidemic remains out of control, with the potential to surpass the 2014–2016 West African outbreak, which killed over 11,000 people. Clinical trials for antiviral treatments began in early July, while Ervebo vaccinations for frontline workers started last week .

Schools in 18 high-risk health zones will implement distance learning to limit virus spread, Education Minister Raïssa Malu announced. The measure aims to protect children, who are particularly vulnerable to the Bundibugyo strain .