The Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) shows no signs of slowing, with health officials warning the situation has spiraled beyond control. During a high-level visit to the region in early August, a top medical official with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) declared the outbreak the second-largest ever recorded, following the devastating 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic. As of late July, the disease has claimed at least 1,850 lives out of nearly 4,000 confirmed cases—a fatality rate exceeding 40%. The Bundibugyo strain, responsible for this surge, has proven far deadlier than in past outbreaks, with transmission rates outpacing previous records.
The virus’s rapid spread is unprecedented. According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), this strain has already killed more than five times as many people in a comparable timeframe compared to earlier outbreaks. Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC’s director-general, admitted in late July, “We are not in a position to say we fully control this epidemic today.”
Violence, displacement, and weak health systems fuel the crisis
Several intertwined crises are exacerbating the epidemic. The epicenter, Ituri Province, is plagued by relentless violence, including attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)—a militant group linked to Uganda—as well as clashes among local militias fighting for land, mineral wealth, and political dominance. Meanwhile, North Kivu Province, another hotspot, has seen large areas fall under the control of the M23 rebel group, a proxy force backed by neighboring Rwanda, following intense clashes with Congolese armed forces.
These conflicts have displaced millions, forcing families into overcrowded, unsanitary camps in neighboring Uganda and Burundi or within DRC itself. Poor living conditions and limited access to clean water have created fertile ground for the virus to thrive. Compounding the issue, surveillance and testing infrastructure was woefully inadequate at the outbreak’s onset, delaying case detection and containment.
Contact tracing—a critical tool in curbing Ebola—has also fallen short. In Bunia, the epidemic’s ground zero, 90% of admitted patients were not registered contacts, while only 59% of contacts in Ituri Province were successfully tracked. The Africa CDC estimates that for every confirmed urban case, around 40 contacts require monitoring—translating to a target of 134,400 people. Yet only 17,500 are currently under surveillance, barely 13% of the goal. Roughly one in five recorded cases receive no follow-up due to staff shortages or security threats. Tragically, 60% of those who have died were never admitted to a health facility, underscoring the failure to isolate cases.
Vaccines and treatments offer hope, but hurdles remain
Efforts to combat the outbreak are underway, though progress has been slow. This month, the University of Oxford launched the first clinical trial of a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain, with the first volunteer receiving the shot. The trial aims to enroll 50 adults to assess safety and efficacy. Separately, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is funding the development of another vaccine by Singapore’s Hilleman Laboratories, with plans to fast-track production and testing in DRC.
With no approved vaccine yet for this strain, the Africa CDC has proposed mass vaccination using the existing Zaïre strain vaccine. While the Bundibugyo variant differs, early data suggests vaccinated individuals experience milder symptoms and avoid fatal outcomes. Additionally, over 40 patients are participating in a trial combining experimental treatments.
Jean Kaseya has also advocated for broader use of remdesivir, an antiviral proven effective in neighboring Uganda. “Uganda’s 10% fatality rate is largely due to their swift deployment of remdesivir for both patients and contacts,” Kaseya noted. International health authorities warn the outbreak could surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic—the deadliest on record—with over 11,000 fatalities.
Delayed global response worsens the emergency
International aid, critical to containing such outbreaks, arrived late and remains insufficient. Early in 2025, USAID funding—long a cornerstone of DRC’s health infrastructure—was abruptly slashed by the U.S. government, leaving health systems vulnerable. It wasn’t until August 5 that the U.S. State Department announced a $242 million allocation, bringing total American aid for Ebola response to $512 million. This infusion, though substantial, falls short of past humanitarian investments and arrives three months after the outbreak’s declaration.
The funds will finally enable the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC to execute a six-month response plan, initially budgeted at $518 million. Yet even with these resources, experts argue the amount pales in comparison to prior U.S. contributions. Despite America’s leadership in funding, the European Union’s support lags far behind, leaving gaps in the global effort to stem the tide of this relentless epidemic.
