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● TRACKER Updated 6d ago · 21 sources tracked

US provides Ebola treatment for outbreak in Congo, bringing trials closer

Congo is facing the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak on record, with at least 2,000 deaths and cases approaching 4,000. The World Health Organization warns the crisis is on track to surpass the deadliest outbreak in history. In response, the WHO chief has arrived in Congo to support ramped-up containment measures. Health officials are advancing talks to launch clinical trials for vaccines, starting with Merck's Ervebo and potentially including other candidates targeting the Bundibugyo species of the virus.

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What changed

The death toll has exceeded 2,000 and the WHO chief has arrived in Congo to assist response efforts.

Live updates

  1. Congo Ebola deaths top 2,000 as WHO warns of record-breaking outbreak

    Congo is facing the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak on record, with at least 2,000 deaths and cases approaching 4,000. The World Health Organization warns the crisis is on track to surpass the deadliest outbreak in history. In response, the WHO chief has arrived in Congo to support ramped-up containment measures. Health officials are advancing talks to launch clinical trials for vaccines, starting with Merck's Ervebo and potentially including other candidates targeting the Bundibugyo species of the virus.

    Why it matters

    The current outbreak follows a period of rapid growth that previously saw over 3,400 cases. While Uganda recently declared itself free of the disease, the Congo situation is escalating in scale and lethality. The shift toward clinical trials indicates a move toward species-specific medical interventions.

    What is confirmed

    • At least 2,000 people have died among confirmed Ebola cases in Congo.
    • The current Ebola outbreak in Congo is the fastest-spreading on record.
    • The head of the World Health Organization has arrived in Congo to support response measures.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Other vaccines targeting the Bundibugyo species of Ebola could be added to trials.

    What to watch next

    • Updated case and death counts from the Congo government.
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. consent.yahoo.com — Treatment trials for Ebola strain behind Congo outbreak show promise, WHO says
    2. apnews.com — WHO chief arrives in Congo to support Ebola response as cases near 4,000
    3. www.cbsnews.com — Congo Ebola death toll tops 2,000 as outbreak becomes fastest spreading on record
    4. www.latimes.com — WHO says Congo’s Ebola outbreak is on track to eclipse the deadliest one in history
    5. www.statnews.com — Talks on launch of clinical trial of Ebola vaccine in DRC advance, WHO says
    confidence 90%

  2. Congo Ebola death toll exceeds 1,500 as Uganda declares virus free

    Congo continues to battle a rapid Ebola outbreak with over 3,400 recorded cases. Uganda has officially declared itself free of the disease following the discharge of its final patient. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attributes a recent spike in numbers to a backlog of records.

    What's confirmed:

    • Uganda declared itself free of Ebola on Tuesday.
    • The last Ebola patient in Uganda was discharged in mid-June.
    • Congo has recorded 3,442 cases and 1,521 deaths as of Tuesday.
    Sources used for this update (2)
    1. Uganda declares itself Ebola-free as Congo continues to struggle with the outbreak
    2. Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
    confidence 100%

  3. Ebola cases in eastern Congo surpass 3,200

    The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has exceeded 3,200 cases. This surge nearly matches the totals from the 2018-2020 outbreak in just 10 weeks. Uganda has declared itself free of the disease.

    What's confirmed:

    • The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has surpassed 3,200 cases.
    • The outbreak in Congo is nearing record-high case numbers.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The current outbreak has nearly matched the 2018-2020 outbreak in 10 weeks.
    • Uganda is Ebola free.
    Sources used for this update (2)
    1. Ebola cases in Congo top 3,200, nearing record of the country’s worst outbreak
    2. Uganda Says It’s Ebola Free As Cases In Congo Near Record Numbers
    confidence 90%

  4. Ebola Treatment Trials Begin in Democratic Republic of Congo

    Researchers started a study on Thursday to test two potential Ebola treatments in eastern Congo. The effort aims to improve survival rates as the outbreak grows. The World Health Organization is overseeing the clinical testing of these antiviral therapies.

    What's confirmed:

    • Researchers began a study of two possible Ebola treatments on Thursday in eastern Congo.
    • The World Health Organization announced the start of clinical testing for two antiviral therapy approaches.
    • There are 438 deaths linked to the outbreak.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The Bundibugyo virus caused over 1,400 infections.
    • There are 1,406 confirmed cases and 301 suspected cases of the disease in DRC.
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. Researchers launch study on Ebola treatments as Congo outbreak worsens
    2. WHO says two Ebola treatments begin clinical trials in Congo
    3. Researchers launch study on Ebola treatments as Congo outbreak worsens
    4. Researchers launch study on Ebola treatments as Congo outbreak worsens
    5. Ebola treatments trial begins in the Democratic Republic of Congo - BBC
    confidence 90%

  5. US Provides Experimental Ebola Treatment for Congo Outbreak Trials

    The United States has supplied doses of an experimental antibody drug from Mapp Biopharmaceutical for clinical trials in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This move supports efforts to combat a widening Ebola outbreak. The WHO indicates that trials for two drugs are scheduled to begin next week.

    What's confirmed:

    • The US provided doses of an experimental antibody drug from Mapp Biopharmaceutical for clinical trials in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
    • The US previously stated the antibody drug would be available only to Americans deemed to be at high risk.
    • HHS sent the drug for the Ebola clinical trial.
    • The WHO chief stated that antivirals from Mapp and Gilead will be deployed in the DRC Ebola trial.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has caused more than 1,000 deaths.
    • Trials of two Ebola treatments will start in the DRC next week.
    Sources used for this update (12)
    1. US provides Ebola treatment for outbreak in Congo, bringing trials closer
    2. Mapp, Gilead antivirals to be deployed in DRC Ebola trial: WHO chief
    3. Clinical trial set to test two drugs for fast-growing Ebola outbreak
    4. U.S. provides experimental Ebola treatment for outbreak in Congo, bringing trials closer
    5. Trials of two Ebola treatments to start in DRC next week: WHO
    6. HHS has sent drug for Ebola clinical trial
    7. US provides Ebola treatment for outbreak in Congo, bringing ... - Yahoo
    8. US provides Ebola treatment for outbreak in Congo, bringing trials ...
    9. U.S. provides experimental Ebola treatment for outbreak in Congo
    10. US provides Ebola treatment for outbreak in Congo, bringing trials ...
    11. US releases experimental Ebola drug for DR Congo outbreak trials
    12. FOCUS-US provides Ebola treatment for outbreak in Congo, bringing ...
    confidence 95%