The Ebola virus has claimed over 15,000 lives in Africa over the past 50 years. The most deadly outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths and 3,500 cases reported between 2018 and 2020.

For this outbreak, officially declared on May 15, 506 deaths and 1,561 confirmed cases have been reported in the DRC, while the neighboring Uganda has maintained a low of two deaths for 20 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) in its latest situation report dated July 4.

A clinical trial testing two treatments against the Bundibugyo strain, the origin of the outbreak, began last week. The WHO also granted an emergency use authorization to the first molecular diagnostic test for the virus.

High Lethality

The epicenter of the crisis, with its true extent still difficult to measure and potentially lasting several months, is located in Ituri Province, northeastern Congo bordering South Sudan and Uganda.

In the mining town of Mongbwalu, considered the outbreak’s starting point, high lethality (50.7%) suggests ongoing challenges in providing early intervention or access to medical care for the sick.

The virus is also present in nearby provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, where capitals and large swaths of territory are controlled by the antigovernmental M23 group.

In North Kivu, a mortality rate of 57.4% – significantly higher than average – has been deemed « concerning » by Congolese health authorities. In South Kivu Province, no new cases have been confirmed since May 26.

Health officials in the M23-controlled areas announced last week that the outbreak had been eradicated in their zones. This information could not be verified by AFP through independent sources.

In response to this announcement, trade between eastern DRC and Rwanda has partially resumed after several weeks of border closures, according to AFP journalists.

Travel exchanges between eastern DRC and Rwanda have partly restarted after several weeks of border closures, observed by AFP journalists.

The WHO has expressed concerns over the ongoing outbreak in the DRC, warning that it could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and global health security.