Five individuals infected with a rare strain of Ebola have recovered in eastern Congo, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The announcement was made during the opening of a new Ebola treatment center in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, where the outbreak is concentrated. Tedros noted that four patients would be discharged that day, while one had been discharged two days prior. This marks the first documented recovery from the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which has been linked to an outbreak that began in mid-May and was declared a public health emergency by the WHO.
As of now, Congo has reported 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths related to the outbreak, with over 130 confirmed cases and at least 18 deaths among those confirmed in both Congo and Uganda. Uganda has recorded nine confirmed cases and one death, with some infections attributed to cross-border transmission from Congo. Health officials indicated that the outbreak likely circulated undetected for weeks, complicating contact tracing and isolation efforts. The region is also facing challenges such as armed conflict, population displacement, and inadequate health infrastructure.
Aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, have expressed concerns that infections are outpacing response efforts, despite increased international assistance. They have called for expanded testing, quicker deployment of medical personnel, and better access to humanitarian supplies. Additionally, health workers have encountered resistance from some communities regarding Ebola burial protocols, which have led to conflicts with local customs. Tedros emphasized the importance of community involvement in controlling the outbreak and encouraged residents to seek medical care promptly if symptoms arise.