The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has confirmed 1,274 cases of the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, including 360 deaths, as health authorities continue to battle what is now the largest recorded outbreak of this rare Ebola strain.
Despite the rising case count, recoveries are increasing. The number of patients discharged after successful treatment nearly doubled within a week, reaching 148 from 80, while treatment centres continue to admit dozens of new patients daily.
Medical experts say the Bundibugyo strain appears to progress more slowly than other Ebola variants, potentially giving healthcare workers more time to provide life-saving supportive treatment such as fluid replacement, blood sugar stabilization, and antiviral therapy. However, the slower onset may also delay diagnosis, as early symptoms—including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite—can easily be mistaken for common illnesses such as malaria or cholera.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, based on the first 505 confirmed patients, found that bleeding was uncommon at the early stage of illness and that patients who died generally had much higher viral loads than survivors.
Scientists are also preparing to launch the first clinical trial specifically targeting the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the antiviral drug remdesivir and the monoclonal antibody treatment MBP134 in reducing deaths.
Children remain particularly vulnerable during the outbreak. Although they account for about 15% of confirmed infections, they represent more than a quarter of all deaths. Health experts attribute the higher mortality to delayed diagnosis, malnutrition, fragile healthcare systems, and the rapid deterioration children can experience once severe dehydration develops.
Health authorities continue to strengthen surveillance, treatment, and community awareness efforts as researchers work to better understand the rare Ebola strain and improve patient outcomes.
