By Maryann Awuya
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recorded 10,193 confirmed Ebola cases and 4,960 deaths, as the country battles the largest and deadliest outbreak in history.
The figures, reported in the country’s October 27 situation report, highlight the scale of an outbreak that has spread across eight provinces and become the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record globally, behind the 2014–2016 West African epidemic.
PerSecondNews recalls that the outbreak was declared in May 2025 caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which no vaccine or treatment has been approved specifically for the strain. However, clinical trials of candidate vaccines have begun.
Health authorities continue to face challenges containing the outbreak, with reports indicating that many new cases are occurring outside known chains of transmission.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted gaps in contact tracing, noting that the proportion of identified contacts successfully followed up remains below the 95 per cent target in several affected provinces.
According to the WHO, the outbreak has spread across 66 health zones in eight provinces, including remote areas where access to medical supplies and health workers remains limited.
Some treatment centres are overwhelmed, while shortages of vehicles and medical personnel have complicated efforts to trace contacts, provide care and ensure safe burials.
The outbreak has also disrupted routine healthcare services, including childhood vaccination, while health workers face attacks and growing community mistrust.
The WHO reported that a nurse was killed and another health worker seriously injured while responding to a suspected Ebola case in Bafwasende, Tshopo province.
Cross-border spread raises concern
The outbreak has spread beyond the DRC, with infections reported in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria.
Uganda recorded 20 cases and two deaths during its outbreak, which the WHO declared over in August. Authorities have also announced precautionary measures for citizens returning from the DRC.
Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases, including two deaths. The infections have been linked to the country’s first case involving a Kenyan man who had been working in the DRC and travelled to Kenya through Uganda.
Nigeria confirmed an imported case in Abuja on October 20 involving a woman who had travelled from Uganda. The patient was subsequently evacuated to Switzerland for treatment, while investigations into the source of infection continued.
The cross-border spread has prompted health authorities and international organisations to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing and preparedness measures.
Vaccine trials offer hope
Despite the challenges, the WHO has reported progress in expanding testing and treatment capacity, with more than 2,600 people having recovered in the DRC according to earlier outbreak updates.
The TUMAINI clinical trial, launched in October, is assessing candidate vaccines against the Bundibugyo virus. Researchers are also investigating whether the Ervebo vaccine, previously used against the Zaire strain of Ebola, could provide protection against the current strain.
The trial includes a ring vaccination approach, which targets close contacts of confirmed cases.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has allocated more than $2 million to strengthen Ebola preparedness and response in Kenya, including border surveillance and training for frontline responders.
PerSecondNews reports that the rising death toll, challenges in contact tracing and cross-border infections have intensified efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities continue to emphasise surveillance, timely medical care and community cooperation as key measures in limiting further transmission.
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