Overview
- Since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, the World Health Organization has recorded roughly 7,200 infections and more than 3,600 deaths, making this the worst Ebola episode in the DRC's history.
- Médecins Sans Frontières says the epidemic is not subsiding and has seen new cases appear in Sud-Ubangi while nearly half of newly reported infections are concentrated in Nord-Kivu.
- MSF staff describe the situation as alarming and say falling vigilance among communities raises the risk of further spread away from the original epicentre in Ituri.
- There is no approved vaccine or licensed treatment for the Bundibugyo variant driving this outbreak, so a clinical study using the Ervebo vaccine has begun in Bunia to test protection and aims to vaccinate 20,000 people over nine to twelve months.
- The shifting geography and cross-border cases near the Central African Republic and Rwanda complicate surveillance and response on the ground and put frontline health workers and surrounding communities at greater risk.