Deadly Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo surpasses 2,000 deaths

The rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has now claimed over 2,000 lives, edging dangerously close to the devastating 2018-2020 epidemic—the deadliest in the nation’s history. Authorities confirmed 2,011 fatalities from 4,381 confirmed cases in the latest health ministry report.

The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15, weeks behind schedule, and health officials warn this could become the worst global outbreak on record. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, emphasized the unprecedented scale of the crisis.

Escalating death toll and delayed response

The grim milestone of 1,000 deaths was crossed on July 22, with fatalities continuing to rise despite ongoing containment efforts. The current mortality rate stands at 45.9%, according to health authorities, highlighting the severity of the strain.

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba cautioned that the outbreak has not yet peaked. “We have not reached the peak yet,” he stated in a press briefing Tuesday. However, he expressed cautious optimism, predicting a potential slowdown in transmission within the next three months.

Challenges in containment

The epidemic’s spread has been exacerbated by persistent insecurity in conflict zones and deep-rooted public mistrust. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, revealed that only 30% of infected individuals receive care in treatment centers, while 70% succumb at home.

“This is why this Ebola outbreak differs from previous ones,” Janabi noted during a press conference in Bunia, capital of Ituri province. The lack of access to healthcare facilities and community resistance are critical hurdles in the fight against the virus.

Vaccine trials underway

In response to the crisis, WHO experts have recommended expediting clinical trials for Ervebo, the only licensed Ebola vaccine, to address the current variant. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, hailed recent progress in vaccine development as a positive step.

Ervebo, produced by Merck, is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 trial due to extensive safety data. The global stockpile, managed by Gavi, holds approximately 500,000 doses, with reserves maintained in the DRC given the country’s recurring outbreaks. Gavi, established in 2000, collaborates with public and private donors to ensure affordable vaccine access for developing nations.

Meanwhile, Canada has approved clinical trials for Moderna’s experimental vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain. Other candidates under development include the rVSV Bundibugyo vaccine—deemed the most promising by WHO—and a candidate from the University of Oxford, which administered its first dose to a volunteer in late July.

International support and funding

The United States has pledged an additional $242 million to combat the outbreak, underscoring the global urgency of the crisis. Ebola, transmitted through bodily fluids, has claimed over 15,000 lives across Africa over the past five decades.