Congo Ebola outbreak climbs to 782 cases, reaches 2 new health zones
Why it matters: The Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or treatment, and contact tracing coverage has fallen to 56%.
Congo’s latest Ebola outbreak has grown to 782 confirmed cases, including 181 deaths, after 72 new infections were logged in 24 hours, one of the biggest daily increases so far. Government data showed the outbreak remains centered in the east, across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, but confirmed infections were recorded for the first time in the Nia-Nia health zone in Ituri and the Mabalako health zone in North Kivu. Health authorities said 56 people have recovered. The outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo virus, a rarer Ebola strain with no approved vaccine or treatment. Response efforts have been complicated by conflict, displacement, attacks on health workers and frequent movement by artisanal miners, while cases have also spread across the border to Uganda.