Overview
- Africa CDC's 100-day report records more than 5,100 confirmed infections and over 2,400 deaths, a far larger toll than comparable early phases of past outbreaks.
- Officials estimate only 30 to 40 percent of cases are being detected because symptoms are masked by other illnesses, contact tracing is weak, and many people do not report suspected infections.
- The epidemic is driven by the rare Bundibugyo Ebola strain, there is no proven vaccine or therapy for it, and WHO and Africa CDC approved 70,000 Ervebo doses with 20,000 set aside for clinical testing and 50,000 for health workers.
- Children make up about one-fifth of confirmed cases and face very high death rates, thousands have lost one or both caregivers, and aid groups have set up 21-day observation and psychosocial care centers.
- Response is hampered by armed groups, including M23, and community stigma even as donors boost support and researchers race to produce strain-specific vaccines and report trial results that will determine the next steps.