Congo Reports 82 Confirmed Cases of Rare Bundibugyo Ebola Strain

The Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded at least 82 confirmed cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, including seven deaths, as of May 22. Most cases are in northern Congo, with two additional cases reported in Uganda and one American doctor flown to Germany for treatment. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on May 17.

The Bundibugyo strain has caused only two previous outbreaks, in 2007 and 2012, with a fatality rate of about 30 percent. In contrast, the more common Zaire strain has a fatality rate of up to 90 percent without treatment and has driven most major Ebola outbreaks in Africa.

Congo had focused its preparedness efforts on the Zaire strain, maintaining stockpiles of the Ervebo vaccine and related treatments.

Health responders have opened three Ebola treatment centers to isolate patients and provide rehydration. Contact tracing is under way to monitor exposed individuals for the virus's 21-day incubation period. Officials are promoting safe burial practices to limit transmission through bodily fluids.

Oxfam International is establishing community protection committees with local leaders to identify at-risk individuals and encourage early medical visits. The group is also distributing soap and hand-washing supplies while improving access to clean water and sanitation.

The World Health Organization has delivered more than 11 metric tons of medical supplies, including isolation tents and water sanitization kits. U.S. officials have activated $23 million for disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and support for up to 50 treatment clinics.

An international coalition including the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention met on May 22 to prioritize development of medical countermeasures.

No vaccine or specific treatment exists yet for the Bundibugyo strain. Development of a targeted vaccine is expected to take at least six to nine months. Early supportive care remains the primary method to improve survival rates. "We need a one-dose vaccine if we're going to go in and try to clearly affect the evolution of the outbreak," Vasee Moorthy, a senior adviser for WHO, said at the May 22 meeting.