DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Reaches Nearly 750 Suspected Cases, 177 Deaths; Risk Upgraded to 'Very High' (cidrap.umn.edu)

• Nearly 750 suspected cases, 177 deaths in DRC; risk upgraded to very high
• Bundibugyo strain: no vaccines or treatments available
• WHO recommends monoclonal antibodies and obeldesivir for clinical trials
• Aid cuts, conflict, and distrust hamper response; hospital burned in Ituri

"The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths, prompting the WHO to upgrade the national risk from 'high' to 'very high'. The causative strain is Bundibugyo, for which no vaccines or treatments exist. Uganda has reported two cases and one death but no local spread. The WHO has recommended two monoclonal antibodies and the antiviral obeldesivir for clinical trials. Response efforts are hampered by aid cuts, armed conflict, displacement, and community distrust, including the burning of a hospital in Ituri province."