A health worker is seen at the Evangelical Medical Center in Bunia, Eastern Congo, on Friday, July 3, 2026, where Ebola clinical trials are set to occur. Reports indicate that 80% of new Ebola cases in this region originate from untracked chains of transmission, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This situation suggests the outbreak is spreading more rapidly than health officials can manage, despite increased efforts.
Since May, Congo has been dealing with an outbreak of a rare Ebola strain, lacking both approved treatment and a vaccine. The Africa Centres for Disease Control has identified this as the continent’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak. Alarmingly, many new deaths are occurring within communities, among individuals who never reached medical facilities nor received care, noted Chikwe Ihekweazu after his return from Bunia. “Currently, 80% of new cases fall outside our contact lists,” indicating transmission from unidentified sources, Ihekweazu added.
The primary concern is that individuals dying outside the healthcare system lack prompt isolation, treatment, and contact tracing, thus increasing transmission risk. Ihekweazu emphasized, “The outbreak continues to outpace response efforts.” As of Monday, Congolese authorities reported at least 1,926 infections, with 702 deaths, spread across three provinces due to the Bundibugyo virus. Uganda has also confirmed cases.
During a Geneva press conference, Ihekweazu remarked that his Bunia visit was “encouraging, yet deeply concerning.” Bunia’s treatment capacity nears 800 beds, increasing weekly, with lab facilities expanding from 1 to 14 labs. Despite these efforts, the situation has not yet stabilized. Funding shortages, healthcare center attacks, ongoing conflicts in Eastern Congo, and local community distrust continue to hinder responses.
Healthcare workers at an Ebola treatment center in Northeast Congo began striking on Monday due to unpaid wages and bonuses. They agreed to resume work under the condition of government payment within 72 hours. “A single strike day has caused damage, preventing patient access,” stated the workers. “We hold the government fully accountable for any resultant fatalities should the site close following this ultimatum.”
The WHO noted that the Congolese authorities declared a new Ebola outbreak on May 15, revealing the disease had been spreading unchecked for weeks. Last week, clinical trials for treatments launched with researchers initiating a study to combat the virus. On July 11, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a U.S. citizen in Congo tested positive for Ebola while working with a humanitarian group, withholding additional information.
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