The Africa CDC warns Ebola deaths in the DRC could exceed 300 as confirmed cases climb to 1,118 with 291 fatalities reported. Hospital capacity is critically strained at about 95% occupancy, prompting urgent calls to expand treatment centres. Clinical trials of experimental therapies will begin next week in Bunia; Remdesivir has arrived and MBP134 is expected soon. Authorities have imposed a 21-day quarantine for travellers from affected areas to aid contact tracing and curb spread.
Healthcare Push Urged As Congo's Ebola Deaths Near 300; Treatment Trials Start in Bunia
Doctors from various countries in East Africa train in safe practices at an Ebola treatment center as part of the tEACH project, which is being carried out jointly by experts from the Institute of Global Health and the Department of Infectious Diseases and Critical Care Medicine at Charite. (is associated with: «More health centres needed as Congo's Ebola death toll nears 300») Eva Krafczyk/dpa
The Africa CDC has warned that Ebola fatalities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could top 300 within days as the outbreak continues to expand across the region.
Current figures: Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya reported 1,118 confirmed cases and 291 deaths at his weekly briefing.
Health facilities are under severe strain: roughly 95% of the nation's hospital beds dedicated to Ebola care are occupied. "We must build treatment centres and increase bed capacity," Kaseya said, urging an urgent scale-up of clinical infrastructure.
"We must build treatment centres and increase bed capacity." — Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC
The pace of new infections has prompted particular concern: none of Africa's previous Ebola epidemics recorded this many confirmed cases within the first five weeks.
Clinical Trials and Experimental Treatments
Clinical trials of experimental therapies are scheduled to begin next week in Bunia, the capital of the hard-hit Ituri province. Authorities say several investigational products will be evaluated.
Among the treatments mentioned, Remdesivir — an antiviral agent — has already arrived in the DRC. Officials describe it as an investigational post-exposure candidate to be evaluated in upcoming trials. The experimental therapy MBP134 is also expected to arrive in the coming days. Several other vaccine and therapeutic candidates are under development by different companies.
Containment Measures
The Bundibugyo strain involved in this outbreak has complicated containment efforts because there is no widely deployed, proven vaccine or specific approved treatment tailored to it. The outbreak was first reported by authorities in mid-May.
To slow transmission and support contact tracing, the Congolese government has ordered a 21-day quarantine for people travelling from Ebola-affected areas, whether moving to other parts of the country or abroad. The measure aims to reduce risk while teams identify and monitor potential contacts.
Public health advice: Avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of symptomatic individuals, seek medical attention for possible exposures, and comply with local health directives to protect yourself and your community.
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