DRC Ebola Outbreak Likely Underestimated, IRC Warns

The International Rescue Committee warns the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is likely far worse than official figures, with delayed detection and only about 20% of contacts currently being traced. There are over 1,000 suspected cases and 200+ suspected deaths, with 282 confirmed cases and 42 deaths; the virus may have been spreading undetected for months and could be crossing borders to Uganda, Burundi, or South Sudan. Diagnostics shortages and testing backlogs slow confirmation, while people avoid health facilities, risking further spread. The IRC urges urgent funding to boost tracing, testing, treatment, and community engagement. There is no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo Ebola strain yet, though CEPI is fast-tracking three vaccine candidates from IAVI, Moderna, and Oxford.