The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to 782, with 181 deaths reported, according to the Congolese Ministry of Health. The ministry released the update on Sunday evening via the social platform X.

Officials believe the actual number of cases is higher, as the outbreak was officially declared on May 15, several weeks after it is thought to have begun. Additionally, the contact tracing coverage rate has declined sharply to 56%, complicating efforts to control the virus's spread.

This outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. This contrasts with the Zaire strain responsible for most of the country’s previous 16 Ebola outbreaks, which has had some vaccine options. So far, 56 people have recovered, and the reported fatality rate stands at 23%.

The outbreak is predominantly concentrated in Ituri province in eastern Congo, which accounts for over 90% of all confirmed cases. There are also reported cases in the neighboring provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu. The virus has crossed Congo’s borders, with cases now confirmed in Uganda.

Efforts to contain the outbreak face significant challenges. Ituri province has seen widespread displacement, with nearly one million people uprooted due to ongoing armed conflict, according to the United Nations humanitarian office. This displacement hampers contact tracing, as people frequently move to avoid attacks and the area’s difficult geography—characterized by dense forests, poor road infrastructure, and isolated villages—further complicates access.

The presence of thousands of artisanal miners, who often travel between remote sites in the mineral-rich region, adds another layer of difficulty in tracking and containing the virus. Additionally, healthcare workers face hostility from some local communities, fueled by skepticism and fear, as well as direct attacks, creating dangerous conditions for response teams.

In a related development, U.S. authorities announced last month plans to establish a quarantine facility in Kenya for Americans exposed to Ebola overseas, rather than repatriating them to the United States. The proposed center was to be located at Laikipia Air Base and include 50 quarantine beds. However, the plan sparked protests in Kenya and was subsequently halted by the courts, underscoring the challenges of managing international responses to the outbreak.