Ebola Cases in DR Congo Reach 5,514 with 2,642 Deaths; 10 African Countries Tighten Borders

The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to show a significant upward trend. According to the latest data from the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) on Monday (24/8), the total number of Ebola cases in Congo has now reached 5,514, with the death toll standing at 2,642.

In its daily bulletin, INSP recorded a surge in new cases over the past 24 hours. “In the last 24 hours, 55 new cases and 23 deaths were reported, while 18 others were declared cured,” INSP stated.

The situation has triggered regional vigilance across Africa. Ten countries spread across eastern, central, and southern Africa have reportedly tightened health checks at border crossings with Congo. These preventive measures have been taken to anticipate the spread of the outbreak to neighbouring countries.

To date, no vaccine or treatment has been officially approved to address Bundibugyo, which has been identified as a new strain of the Ebola virus in the current outbreak in Congo.

Nevertheless, there is hope on the medical front. Laboratory data indicate that a new vaccine called Ervebo may be able to provide a certain level of protection. The vaccine has been distributed from the global Ebola vaccine stockpile to Congo to help curb the rate of virus transmission in the field.

Local authorities, together with international health organisations, continue mitigation efforts in red zones to ensure patients receive care and to break the chain of transmission, which remains relatively high.