What happened
The Ebola outbreak in Congo has resulted in over 8,000 confirmed cases and nearly 4,000 deaths, according to the country's National Institute of Public Health. The current outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo ebolavirus, has affected seven provinces and is active in 63 of the country's 167 health zones.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the number of newly reported cases each day remains high, and the situation varies across Congo. Factors such as ongoing conflict, limited access to basic services, and poor roads are impeding surveillance and monitoring of the disease, as well as efforts to provide timely care to patients.
The United States has pledged an additional $267 million in aid to support the response to the outbreak, bringing the total aid to $887 million. The funds will be used to support specialized Ebola treatment units, healthcare facilities, and personal protective equipment, among other interventions.
Clinical trials are underway to develop a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, and Congolese authorities have launched a targeted Ebola vaccination program for healthcare staff and frontline workers.
