Key facts
- Confirmed Ebola cases in Congo have reached 2,011.
- The outbreak has caused 754 deaths.
- The Bundibugyo virus outbreak began on May 15.
- 80% of new cases are from unknown transmission chains.
- The CDC is responding to the outbreak in DRC and Uganda.
The confirmed cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo have surpassed 2,000, with 754 deaths reported, according to government data. This marks the fastest-growing outbreak on record, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which began on May 15.
Health officials are struggling to contain the spread, with 80% of new cases emerging from unknown transmission chains, according to the World Health Organization. Challenges include limited health infrastructure, ongoing conflict, violence against healthcare workers, and a lack of trust in the government, which complicates contact tracing and prevention efforts.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to the outbreak in both the DRC and Uganda, with cases confirmed in multiple provinces in the DRC and in Uganda's capital, Kampala. This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC and is spreading substantially faster than previous ones, reaching over 1,000 cases within 40 days.
The CDC is implementing public health measures for travelers entering the United States from affected regions and recommends avoiding non-essential travel to the most impacted provinces in the DRC.