Overview
- Confirmed cases have rapidly risen to more than 800 with about 190–196 confirmed deaths, and the rare Bundibugyo Ebola strain has spread from Ituri into North Kivu, South Kivu and neighbouring Uganda.
- Testing gaps slowed early detection because routine assays targeted the Zaire strain, and responders say lab delays and limited access to Bundibugyo reagents are leaving large transmission chains unseen.
- Contact tracing coverage has fallen to roughly 56 percent, leaving tens of thousands of potentially exposed people unmonitored and forcing responders to rely on overwhelmed treatment centres and ad hoc isolation capacity.
- Conflict, nearly one million displaced people and attacks on burial and health teams are blocking access to remote mining and forested areas where transmission is concentrated and community mistrust is high.
- Health officials and Africa CDC warn the outbreak could worsen without funds and operational access, and the $518 million six‑month plan remains far short of needs as African leaders and donors convene to mobilize more support.