The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has spread to two additional health zones in the DRC—Bulu and Dungu—bringing the outbreak to 63 health zones across seven provinces. As of 23 September, the WHO reports 7,890 confirmed cases and 3,799 deaths. Conflict, displacement and a large shortfall in contact tracing are undermining response efforts, while no approved vaccine exists for this strain and clinical trials are being accelerated. Ituri remains the epicentre, and North Kivu faces a notably higher fatality rate and delayed care-seeking.
Bundibugyo Ebola Spreads to Two More DRC Health Zones as Conflict and Poor Contact Tracing Hamper Response
A worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) handles sanitary basins at an Ebola treatment centre in Butembo, North Kivu province, in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo [Gradel Muyisa Mumbere/Reuters]
The Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus has been detected in two additional health zones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the World Health Organization (WHO) said, expanding an already widespread outbreak that continues to strain local health services.
New Cases and Current Toll
New infections were confirmed in Bulu in South Ubangi province, on the border with the Central African Republic, and in Dungu in Haut-Uele province, bordering South Sudan, the WHO said on Friday. These additions bring the outbreak to 63 health zones across seven provinces.
As of 23 September, the DRC reported 7,890 confirmed cases and 3,799 deaths, a fatality rate approaching half of confirmed infections.
Operational Challenges
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that ongoing conflict and population displacement are making it harder for health teams to reach affected communities and trace potential contacts.
"It's very difficult to see Ebola in isolation because even our response to Ebola is affected by the conflict, because there is displacement and there is an access problem to some areas," Tedros said.
The Bundibugyo strain presents additional challenges: there are currently no approved vaccines specifically for this strain, prompting the WHO to accelerate clinical trials of candidate vaccines and treatments.
Contact Tracing Shortfalls
Contact tracing—key to containing Ebola—is far below estimates. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC, said the more than 7,000 confirmed cases should correspond to roughly 420,000 contacts who need follow-up. However, only about 30,000 people are currently listed as contacts.
"When the outbreak is at community level, we cannot talk about control," Kaseya said.
Where The Outbreak Is Worst
Ituri province remains the epicentre, with 6,032 confirmed cases since the epidemic began in May, including 868 new confirmed cases in the last 21 days. North Kivu is the second-most affected province, with 1,480 confirmed cases overall and 567 reported in the last 21 days.
Data show nearly 60% mortality among diagnosed cases in North Kivu—well above the national average of 48%—and medical staff report that many patients delay seeking care until their illness is advanced.
"Patients think that if they arrive at the hospital, they will be immediately sent to the treatment centre to die," said Dr Michel Paluku Mukuloli, who works at a hospital in Butembo, North Kivu.
Why Bundibugyo Is Harder To Detect
Much less is known about the Bundibugyo strain than about the Zaire strain that caused earlier outbreaks. Responders say early symptoms can be milder and easily mistaken for common illnesses such as malaria or typhoid, delaying diagnosis and isolation.
Urgent Needs
Health authorities and international partners are calling for improved access to conflict-affected areas, accelerated clinical trials for vaccines and therapeutics, expanded contact tracing, and stronger community engagement to encourage earlier care-seeking.
Note: All figures are based on WHO reports as of 23 September.
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