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4w ago

Ebola Outbreak in DRC Grows as First Clinical Trials Start

International teams have begun testing two experimental drugs in response to a fast‑spreading Bundibugyo epidemic that WHO says is likely much larger than reported

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Des personnels soignants en combinaison de protection entrent dans la zone rouge du centre de traitement Ebola de l'hôpital général de référence de Rwampara, dans la province de l'Ituri, le 12 juin 2026 en RDC
Un soignant en combinaison de protection dans la zone rouge du centre de traitement Ebola de l'hôpital général de référence de Rwampara, dans la province de l'Ituri, le 12 juin 2026 en RDC
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Overview

  • The epidemic declared on May 15 has produced about 1,900–2,000 reported cases and roughly 700 deaths and has spread from Ituri into North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo and Haut‑Uélé with cases also reported in Uganda.
  • On July 2 the WHO‑led Partners programme started enrolling patients in Ituri to test remdesivir and the monoclonal antibody MBP134 as no licensed vaccine or therapy exists for the Bundibugyo strain.
  • WHO officials say the true size of the outbreak may be two to four times higher than reported while response capacity has expanded to about 700 treatment beds, 14 laboratories and near 80% contact follow‑up.
  • Frontline health workers have faced infections and deaths (about 112 infections and 35 deaths reported) and have threatened or launched strikes over unpaid salaries and poor conditions that have disrupted care.
  • Persistent insecurity, poor access to affected zones and delays in detection threaten both containment and the ability to run and evaluate trials, which could slow approval and delivery of effective countermeasures.