A deadly outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola, has expanded across the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with more than 10,000 confirmed cases and nearly half of patients dying, the World Health Organization said.
As of 3 November, authorities had recorded 10,668 confirmed cases and 5,198 deaths across 67 health zones in eight provinces. Active transmission continues in 51 health zones, with the northeastern provinces of Ituri and Nord Kivu among the hardest hit.
The outbreak has grown by 964 cases and 511 deaths since the WHO’s previous update on 23 October. In the latest 21-day period, 1,463 new cases were reported, including 710 in Ituri and 640 in Nord Kivu.
Health officials say the number of deaths occurring in communities remains especially concerning. Of 512 deaths reported since 21 October, 335 occurred outside treatment centres, a pattern the WHO linked to delays in detecting cases and accessing medical care. Young children have been particularly affected.
Ituri has recorded the highest cumulative burden, with 7,485 cases and 3,532 deaths. Nord Kivu has reported 2,593 cases and 1,422 deaths, and has the country’s highest provincial case-fatality ratio, at 54.8%.
The epidemic has also spread geographically. Cases have now been reported in eight provinces, with Yakoma in Nord-Ubangi the latest health zone to confirm infections.
Contact tracing remains below the WHO’s target: an average of 86% of contacts were being monitored daily, compared with the required 95%.
A British health and care worker infected in the country was medically evacuated to London on 5 November. Switzerland and the United Kingdom both reported evacuations of confirmed cases among their citizens.
Neighbouring countries remain on high alert. Kenya has reported nine cases, including two deaths, but no new infections since 19 October.
Nigeria recorded one imported case in Abuja, which was later evacuated to Switzerland. No new cases have been reported in either country since the previous WHO update.
The outbreak began in May and has affected five countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, France and Uganda. France and Uganda have controlled their outbreaks, while responses continue in Kenya and Nigeria.
The WHO describes the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the country’s largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded, regardless of virus type. It has assessed the risk as very high in the country and high for nations sharing its land borders, while the global risk remains low.
A vaccine trial began in Bunia on 23 October, testing candidates designed to protect against Bundibugyo virus. The WHO has also recommended adding Oxford-Serum Institute and Moderna vaccine candidates to the trial, pending national approvals.
The WHO urged countries to strengthen surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, infection-control measures and cross-border preparedness. It advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on affected countries.