- The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases, with 254 deaths and 100 recoveries reported by the Ministry of Health since the epidemic was declared on 15 May in Ituri province.
- Caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which no vaccines or treatments are available, this outbreak was the worst ever in its initial month, and officials anticipate more cases as the peak is still ahead.
- Key challenges in containing the epidemic include a low contact tracing coverage of 55 per cent, an unidentified patient zero, and over 35,000 contacts still requiring tracing.
- A secondary health crisis is emerging as pregnant women in the Democratic Republic of Congo are increasingly shunning hospitals due to fear of Ebola, leading to a rise in maternal deaths and a dramatic drop in prenatal consultations.
- The outbreak is predominantly concentrated in Ituri province, accounting for over 90 per cent of cases, but has also spread to North Kivu and South Kivu, and across the border into Uganda, where 19 cases and two deaths have been confirmed.
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