- The DRC reports a record number of Ebola cases in a single day as the outbreak reaches its one-month mark.
- The U.S. State Department plans to provide $50 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations for vaccine development.
- Only 56.5% of identified contacts have been followed up on, far below the 90%-95% target needed to contain the outbreak.
- The DRC is experiencing community hesitance and shortages of essential medicines and infection-control supplies.
- Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases linked to cross-border transmission from the DRC, with two deaths.
- The U.N. warned that it may be difficult to track the number of children affected by the outbreak due to inefficient surveillance.
- As the outbreak evolves, officials must prepare for increasing household transmission, which may affect more children.
- The State Department has committed more than $270 million directly to the Ebola response, screening over 6,300 people in Ituri.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has confirmed a staggering 782 Ebola cases and 181 deaths since the outbreak began, with 72 new cases reported on June 13 alone.1
In the last month, 29 fatalities were recorded, highlighting the outbreak's severity.
The majority of cases are concentrated in three provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. New health zones, Nia-Nia and Mabalako, reported cases for the first time, increasing the number of affected health zones to 31.
Health officials are struggling with a follow-up rate of only 56.5% for identified contacts, significantly below the 90%-95% target needed to contain the outbreak, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Community hesitance and shortages of essential medicines and infection-control supplies are further complicating efforts.3
Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases linked to cross-border transmission from the DRC, with two deaths. The U.N. warns that tracking the number of affected children may be challenging due to inefficient surveillance.5
In past outbreaks, children represented a significant share of cases and deaths, with the youngest facing the highest fatality rates.
In response, the U.S. State Department has committed $50 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations for vaccine development, contributing to over $270 million in total support for the Ebola response, including screening over 6,300 people and supporting 100 health facilities.28
“The DRC is facing a significant Ebola outbreak, with a record number of cases reported in a single day. The U.S. has committed $50 million to support vaccine development amid ongoing challenges in tracking and containing the virus.”
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