Ebola Outbreak in DRC Reaches 3,532 Cases as South Sudan Boosts Border Surveillance
Credit: UN News
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded 3,532 confirmed cases of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease, including 1,556 deaths, as the country battles what has become its largest and fastest-growing outbreak of the disease.
The figures, reported by the World Health Organization as of July 29, come amid the continued expansion of the outbreak into new areas, including Tshopo and Haut-Uélé provinces. The spread has increased concerns about transmission to neighboring countries, particularly South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
The International Organization for Migration said population movements, displacement and cross-border travel remain key factors shaping the spread of the virus.
In response, IOM has intensified health screening and disease surveillance at points of entry and points of control across affected and high-risk countries.
South Sudan has strengthened preparedness measures along its border with the DRC as cases move closer to the country.
During the reporting period from July 27 to Aug. 2, IOM supported 177,400 health screenings in South Sudan and activated two additional points of entry at Nabiapia and Sangua following alerts involving cases closer to the South Sudan border.
South Sudan is classified by IOM among the countries facing an elevated risk of cross-border transmission, alongside Burundi and Rwanda. Uganda and the DRC remain priority countries for active outbreak response and preparedness.
In the DRC, IOM supported more than 1.4 million health screenings during the reporting period, generating 39 alerts. Of those, 21 were verified and referred for further action.
Fifteen fatalities were intercepted at points of control, bringing the cumulative number of fatalities intercepted since the beginning of the outbreak to 134. IOM said frontline teams worked with surveillance and dead-body management teams to facilitate sample collection and safe and dignified burials.
The agency has also activated four new points of control in North Kivu as the outbreak expands.
In Kinshasa, IOM is scaling up surveillance following an alert involving a vessel carrying about 200 passengers that reportedly transported a deceased probable Ebola case during its journey to the capital.
Response measures include the provision of personal protective equipment and infection-prevention supplies, deployment of screening personnel and training for frontline workers on the detection and management of suspected cases.
Health agencies say strengthening community-based surveillance is particularly important because many Ebola deaths continue to occur within communities.
IOM said it reached more than 1.4 million people with Ebola prevention messages during the reporting period across Kinshasa, Tshopo, Haut-Uélé, Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
The agency is also strengthening surveillance in displacement sites through active case detection, community engagement, improved referral systems and training for frontline workers.
IOM has requested $55.8 million for its multi-country Ebola preparedness and response plan. So far, $23.6 million has been received, leaving a $32.2 million funding gap.
The agency said sustained surveillance, cross-border coordination and additional resources will be critical to containing the outbreak and reducing the risk of further regional transmission.
