Ebola Death Toll in Eastern Congo Surpasses 300 in One Week

More than 300 people have died from Ebola in eastern Congo during the last week, according to the Ministry of Health, raising the cumulative death count to 2,642 out of 5,514 reported cases. The surge, recorded in Ituri province, marks one of the highest weekly tolls since the outbreak began and is described as the fastest-growing Ebola episode on record.

Health officials note that nearly half of all infected individuals have died, with a fatality rate of 47.9% overall and as high as 68.6% in hard-to-reach areas of North Kivu province. Experts warn that the actual number of cases could be three times higher than official figures, as many infections are occurring outside monitored treatment centers.

The response faces several challenges, including the lack of a vaccine specifically approved for the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the current outbreak. On Friday, Congo received more than 16,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which has been used against other Ebola variants. The World Health Organization indicated that Ervebo’s effectiveness against Bundibugyo is unconfirmed, though early laboratory data suggest possible protection, and it will be included in clinical trials for a targeted vaccine.

Local resident Héritier Ramazani expressed optimism about the vaccine arrival, saying he was "very pleased that these vaccines have finally arrived" and that communities are "fed up with recording new cases of Ebola every day."

The outbreak unfolds amid security concerns, population movements, unpaid responder strikes, poor infrastructure, and misinformation about the disease. Authorities believe the virus may have been circulating in the mining town of Mongbwalu since February, months before the outbreak was officially declared on May 15.