Ebola cases in Eastern Congo surpass 1,000 as death toll reaches 254

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has exceeded 1,000 confirmed infections, with 254 fatalities reported so far, according to health authorities. Officials warned that tracking individuals who may have been exposed to the virus remains one of the biggest obstacles to containing the disease.

Since the outbreak was officially declared on May 15 in Ituri province, 100 patients have recovered. The Ministry of Health also reported that at least 365 infected individuals are currently receiving treatment in hospitals or remaining in isolation.

The outbreak, caused by the uncommon Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has become the most severe recorded during its first month. As no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists for this strain, authorities fear the actual number of infections could be significantly higher than reported, with the outbreak likely yet to reach its peak.

Health officials said contact tracing efforts have reached only 55% of identified contacts, highlighting ongoing challenges in monitoring the spread of the virus. Authorities have not yet determined the outbreak’s initial source case and continue efforts to locate and monitor more than 35,000 people who may have been exposed.

Response operations have been further complicated by persistent insecurity in eastern Congo. In Ituri province, attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel group linked to the Islamic State, have restricted access to numerous communities and displaced large numbers of residents. Many affected people are living in crowded camps or moving frequently, making disease surveillance more difficult.

More than a month into the crisis, officials acknowledge that the outbreak appears to be spreading faster than response measures can contain it, leaving uncertainty about its true extent.

Speaking to The Associated Press last week, Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya emphasized the importance of identifying the outbreak’s first known case. He noted that without knowing when and where the outbreak began, controlling its spread becomes considerably more challenging.