Congolese authorities reported 72 new Ebola cases in a 24-hour period on Sunday, marking one of the highest daily increases since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, according to the Ministry of Health as cited by the Associated Press.
Rising Case Numbers
The ministry stated that the new infections pushed total confirmed cases to 782, while deaths rose to 181 after 29 additional fatalities were recorded. The Ministry of Health said in a post on X that community members are reporting suspected cases, and response teams are investigating them, noting that increased surveillance is contributing to higher reported numbers.
It added that the figures reflect both rapid spread and intensified monitoring efforts as health teams expand testing and contact tracing operations across affected regions.
Background of the Outbreak
The outbreak, which was officially confirmed on May 15, is believed to have begun weeks earlier, raising concerns that the actual case count may be higher than reported. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, unlike the Zaire strain responsible for the past 16 outbreaks of the disease in the country.
Recovery and Fatality Rate
The Ministry of Health also reported that 40 people have recovered since the outbreak began, while the current fatality rate stands at 23 percent. Earlier, contact tracing coverage was reported to have fallen to 56 percent, a decline from the previous week, with no immediate explanation provided for the drop.
International Response
The World Health Organization said it is intensifying its response, including expanded testing, treatment capacity, and contact tracing operations, with supplies already deployed to affected areas. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is also deploying technical experts and strengthening laboratory and community response systems.
Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa CDC, told the AP, "We remain committed to supporting affected countries until transmission is stopped," calling for urgent mobilisation of resources from global partners.
Geographic Spread
The outbreak remains concentrated in eastern Congo's Ituri province, which accounts for more than 90 percent of reported cases, with additional infections recorded in North Kivu and South Kivu, and cross-border spread reported into Uganda.
Challenges in Containment
Humanitarian conditions continue to complicate containment efforts, with nearly one million people displaced in Ituri due to ongoing conflict, making contact tracing and surveillance difficult in remote and insecure areas. Health workers have also faced attacks and resistance from some communities, further slowing containment operations, while authorities continue to expand field response teams.
