The World Health Organization has confirmed that more than 500 suspected Ebola cases and 130 suspected deaths have been recorded in the latest outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to WHO officials, only 30 cases have so far been laboratory-confirmed, raising concerns about the true scale of the outbreak and how widely the virus may have spread.

New Ebola Strain Complicates Response

WHO representative in DRC, Dr Anne Ancia, told reporters in Geneva that the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola — a rare species of the virus for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.

Health officials say the situation remains highly uncertain.

“We have significant uncertainty about the number of infections and how far the virus has spread,” Ancia said.

The outbreak was first detected in Bunia, located in Ituri Province, but confirmed infections have now spread to North Kivu, including the cities of Butembo and Goma.

Uganda has also reported two imported Ebola cases linked to the outbreak.

Funeral Rituals Linked to Initial Spread

According to WHO investigations, the outbreak may have originated from funeral activities after a deceased individual’s coffin was reopened and replaced during burial rites in Mongbwalu.

Health experts believe the handling of the body during the funeral may have accelerated community transmission.

Ancia explained that authorities still have not identified the outbreak’s “patient zero.”

Delayed Diagnosis Increased Risk

The outbreak response was slowed because local tests initially failed to detect the virus.

Officials said early testing focused on the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, which returned negative results.

Symptoms such as fever, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhoea also resembled other diseases common in the region, complicating early diagnosis.

The Bundibugyo strain was only confirmed after samples were sent to Kinshasa for advanced testing.

No Immediate Vaccine Available

WHO said discussions are ongoing over possible vaccine candidates and emergency treatments.

The Ervebo vaccine — designed for the Zaire Ebola strain — is being considered, but officials warned it may take up to two months before doses become available.

Despite that timeline, WHO stressed that outbreak containment efforts cannot wait.

Health authorities are prioritising:

• Community awareness campaigns
• Safe burial practices
• Fighting misinformation
• Early detection and isolation of cases
• Engagement with churches, schools and local leaders

WHO warned that forceful or coercive health measures could backfire and drive infections underground.

“If we use coercive measures and the population does not agree, we will see bodies disappear,” Ancia warned.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Concern

The outbreak is unfolding in one of Africa’s most fragile humanitarian zones.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than two million internally displaced persons and returnees are currently living in Ituri and North Kivu provinces.

Conflict, insecurity and weak healthcare infrastructure are complicating the emergency response.

The UNHCR also raised concerns for:

• 11,000 South Sudanese refugees in Ituri
• Over 2,000 Rwandan and Burundian refugees in Goma

Many communities in the region are still traumatised by the devastating 2018–2019 Ebola epidemic that killed thousands in eastern Congo.