AGP Executive Report

Ebola Emergency: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has now killed over 3,000 people, with 6,186 confirmed cases and 3,007 deaths reported as the UN warns the virus is spreading faster than the response can scale up. School Disruption: As the school year restarts, eastern communities are reopening with handwashing, temperature checks, and limits on close contact—yet families and teachers remain uneasy about safety amid ongoing transmission. Vaccination Push: Health authorities began vaccinating frontline workers in Kisangani (Tshopo) with the Ervebo vaccine under a compassionate-use approach, even as trials continue for a licensed option for the Bundibugyo strain. Outbreak Widening: The epidemic has reached 60 health zones across six provinces, and WHO says the curve is slowing but not bending, with deaths still occurring heavily in communities. Health System Strain: The UN highlights conflict-driven displacement, food insecurity, and malnutrition as forces that worsen the health emergency and complicate access to care.

Ebola Response in Focus: DR Congo’s fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak is still surging, with confirmed cases now reported above 6,000 and deaths nearing 3,000, as the virus spreads across six provinces and 60 health zones; WHO says the outbreak has slowed its acceleration but has not “bent the curve,” with transmission continuing amid insecurity, displacement, healthcare worker strikes, and unsafe burials. Vaccination Drive: Authorities have begun vaccinating frontline health workers using the Ervebo vaccine under a compassionate-use framework in Kisangani (Tshopo), prioritizing those at highest risk while clinical trials continue because Ervebo is licensed for a different Ebola strain. New Hotspots: The outbreak has reached two additional health zones in North Kivu—Biena and Manguredjipa—highlighting how quickly response efforts are being outpaced. School Reopening Pressure: As schools reopen on Sept. 1, the Ministry is using a green/orange/red risk system, but teachers in high-risk areas warn that reopening without strong health guarantees could increase exposure for students and families.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has now passed 6,000 confirmed cases and nearly 3,000 deaths, with the virus spreading across six provinces and 60 health zones as health authorities warn the response is still struggling to keep pace. Vaccination Push: The country has started vaccinating frontline health workers and people who had contact with patients using the Ervebo vaccine under a compassionate-use framework, while clinical trials continue for a Bundibugyo-specific licensed vaccine. WHO Guidance Update: WHO has issued updated temporary recommendations for surveillance, case detection, infection control, clinical care, and risk communication, adding new measures on social restrictions, mass gatherings, and domestic movement. Community and School Safety: WHO says the outbreak curve has slowed but not bent, and teachers and parents in Ebola-hit areas are worried about school reopening on Sept. 1, with some zones shifting to radio/TV or home learning based on transmission risk. Health System Strain: The outbreak is unfolding amid insecurity, displacement, healthcare worker strikes, and major population movement, while deaths outside treatment centers remain a key concern.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak keeps accelerating, with DR Congo reporting over 6,000 confirmed cases and nearly 3,000 deaths, and WHO warning the epidemic curve still hasn’t bent as transmission outpaces tracking across six provinces and 60 health zones. Vaccination Push: Authorities have started vaccinating frontline health workers and contacts in Kisangani, Tshopo, using Ervebo under a compassionate-use framework, even though it’s licensed for a different Ebola strain while trials continue for Bundibugyo. WHO Guidance Update: WHO issued updated temporary recommendations covering surveillance, case detection, infection control, clinical care, risk communication, plus new measures on social restrictions, mass gatherings, and domestic movement. School Reopening Risks: With schools due to reopen Sept. 1, eastern provinces are using a green/orange/red risk system, but teachers in high-risk areas warn that weak prevention could expose students and families. Health System Strain: The outbreak is unfolding amid insecurity, displacement, and health worker strikes, while community deaths remain a major concern.

Ebola Update: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 6,000 confirmed cases, with 2,911 deaths reported in the latest government figures, and 619 people currently in isolation or treatment; the outbreak is now in 60 health zones across six provinces, with experts warning many cases may go unreported. Frontline Vaccination: Health authorities have started vaccinating frontline health workers and other high-risk responders in Kisangani, using the Ervebo vaccine under a compassionate-use approach, even though it is licensed for a different Ebola strain; clinical trials are ongoing for a Bundibugyo-specific solution. WHO Guidance Tightens: WHO has issued updated temporary recommendations for surveillance, case detection, infection control, clinical care, and risk communication, adding measures on social restrictions, mass gatherings, and domestic movement as the outbreak continues to spread. Response Capacity Pressure: WHO says the epidemic curve has slowed its acceleration but has not bent, with a major concern that many deaths are occurring in communities rather than treatment centers, driven by insecurity, displacement, and delays in reaching care.

Ebola Update: DR Congo’s Ebola death toll has now surpassed 2,800, with 5,945 confirmed cases since May and 1,327 recoveries reported; the outbreak has reached 60 health zones across six provinces, and WHO says the Bundibugyo strain is still evolving with sustained transmission. Vaccination Drive: Authorities have begun vaccinating frontline health and other high-risk workers in Kisangani (Tshopo) with Ervebo under a compassionate-use framework, after receiving more than 50,000 doses; WHO and Africa CDC are also running trials to assess protection against the current Bundibugyo strain. WHO Warnings: WHO says the epidemic has not yet “bent the curve,” citing delays in detection, unsafe burials, infection-control gaps, insecurity, and population movement; community deaths remain a major concern. Support & Tools: The EU’s HaDEA signed new EU4Health contracts to boost Ebola testing capacity, including RT-PCR kits and diagnostic devices for Kinshasa, alongside antiviral supply arrangements for other outbreaks. School Safety Concerns: With schools due to reopen Sept. 1, eastern provinces are using a green/orange/red risk system, but teachers in Ituri warn that prevention measures are not sufficient for safe in-person learning.

Ebola Surge: DR Congo’s Ebola death toll has now surpassed 2,800, with 5,945 confirmed cases across six provinces and 896 patients still in isolation or hospital, as WHO warns the Bundibugyo strain is evolving and transmission is still outpacing control efforts. Vaccination Drive: Health authorities have begun vaccinating frontline and healthcare workers in Kisangani (Tshopo) with Ervebo under a compassionate-use approach, after receiving more than 50,000 doses, while clinical trials continue because Ervebo is licensed for a different Ebola species. New Hotspots: The outbreak has reached two additional health zones in North Kivu—Biena and Manguredjipa—bringing the total to 60 health zones, with higher fatality rates reported where response has been delayed. Response Strain: WHO and responders highlight that insecurity, displacement, healthcare worker strikes, and community deaths outside treatment centers are making it harder to detect cases early and keep up with contact tracing. Support & Tools: The EU’s HaDEA signed EU4Health contracts to boost Ebola testing capacity in the region, including RT-PCR kits and diagnostic supplies. School Safety Worries: With schools due to reopen Sept. 1, teachers and parents in Ebola-hit areas are pushing for stronger health guarantees, using a green/orange/red risk system to decide in-person versus home-based learning.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in DRC has spread to two new health zones—Biena and Manguredjipa in North Kivu—bringing affected zones to 60, with 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths reported; WHO says the curve is still not bent, as insecurity, displacement, healthcare worker strikes, and population movement keep transmission ahead of response. Vaccination Push: DRC has started vaccinating frontline health workers and other high-risk contacts with Ervebo under a compassionate-use framework, with more than 50,000 doses received and plans to expand across selected health zones while clinical trials continue for a licensed option against the Bundibugyo strain. WHO Guidance Updates: WHO issued updated temporary recommendations covering surveillance, case detection, infection prevention and control, clinical care, risk communication, and new social measures around gatherings and mobility. Community and School Safety: With schools due to reopen Sept. 1, authorities are using a green/orange/red risk system, but teachers in Ituri warn that prevention measures are not adequate for safe in-person learning. Funding Pressure: UN partners warn the scale-up could face a funding cliff within weeks, threatening surveillance, safe burials, and treatment capacity expansion. Health System Strain Beyond Ebola: The government also suspended academic activities in several higher education institutions in Goma and Bukavu amid the security crisis, adding pressure to already stretched local services.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: Congo’s Ministry of Health says Ebola has reached two new health zones in North Kivu—Biena and Manguredjipa—bringing affected zones to 60, with 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths; the fatality rate is reported at 48%, as insecurity, displacement, healthcare worker strikes, and population movement keep transmission ahead of tracking. Vaccination Drive for Frontliners: DRC has started vaccinating frontline health workers and contacts using Ervebo in Kisangani, Tshopo, under a compassionate-use framework, after receiving more than 50,000 doses; officials stress Ervebo is licensed for a different Ebola strain, while trials continue for the Bundibugyo virus. WHO Guidance Updates: WHO issued updated temporary recommendations for Bundibugyo Ebola, expanding steps on surveillance, infection prevention and control, clinical care, risk communication, and also adding guidance on social measures, mass gatherings, and domestic mobility. School Reopening Worries: With classes set to resume Sept. 1, eastern provinces are using a green/orange/red risk system, but teachers in Ituri warn that current safeguards are not enough to protect students and families. Funding Pressure: UN-linked reporting warns the scaled-up response could face a funding cliff within weeks, threatening surveillance, safe burials, and treatment capacity expansion.

Ebola Surge: Congo’s Ministry of Health says the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has spread to two new health zones in North Kivu—Biena and Manguredjipa—bringing affected zones to 60, with 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths; the fatality rate is higher than the overall 48% as insecurity, displacement, healthcare worker strikes, and population movement keep outpacing response. Vaccination Drive: DRC has started vaccinating frontline health workers and other high-risk personnel in Kisangani, Tshopo, using Ervebo under a compassionate-use framework; more than 50,000 doses have arrived, with plans to expand across affected provinces while clinical trials continue for a Bundibugyo-specific licensed vaccine. WHO Warning: WHO says the outbreak has slowed its acceleration but has not “bent the curve,” and community deaths remain a major concern, with deaths outside Ebola treatment centers still driving the toll. Funding Pressure: UN Ebola coordinators warn a funding cliff could hit within weeks, threatening scale-up of surveillance, safe burials, and treatment capacity. Health System Support: EU4Health signed new contracts to boost Ebola testing capacity in DRC and Uganda, including RT-PCR kits delivered to AfCDC in Kinshasa. Frontline Reality: Reports highlight how violence and attacks on burial and response teams disrupt care, while miners and displaced families struggle to access treatment and protection.

Ebola Vaccination Drive: DR Congo has started vaccinating frontline health workers in Kisangani, Tshopo province, using Ervebo under a compassionate-use framework, with more than 50,000 doses reported received and plans to expand across affected provinces; officials say Ervebo is licensed for a different Ebola strain, while clinical trials aim to assess protection for the current Bundibugyo outbreak. Outbreak Pressure: The death toll is nearing 2,800 as cases climb past 5,700, with WHO warning the curve is still not bent and that community deaths remain a major concern. Funding & Response Capacity: UN health officials warn the scaled-up response could face a funding cliff within weeks, threatening surveillance, safe burials, and treatment expansion. EU Support for Testing: HaDEA signed new EU4Health contracts to boost Ebola testing capacity, including RT-PCR lab kits and diagnostic devices delivered to AfCDC in Kinshasa. WHO Guidance Update: WHO issued updated temporary recommendations for Bundibugyo Ebola, covering surveillance, infection control, clinical care, and risk communication, including social measures and mobility. Human Face of the Crisis: Reporting highlights how the outbreak’s numbers hide individual suffering and how frontline workers are stretched thin amid insecurity and displacement.

Ebola Vaccination Rollout: DR Congo has started vaccinating against Ebola using the Ervebo vaccine under a compassionate-use framework in Kisangani, Tshopo Province, prioritizing health workers and people who had contact with patients; Africa CDC says preventive vaccination has begun, with more than 50,000 doses reported received and coverage planned across selected health zones. Outbreak Status: The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is still accelerating despite a slowdown in growth, with reported figures around 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths, and WHO warning the epidemic has not yet “bent the curve,” while community deaths remain a major concern. WHO Guidance Update: WHO issued updated temporary recommendations for surveillance, case detection, infection prevention and control, clinical care, risk communication, and added measures on social restrictions, mass gatherings, and domestic mobility. School Reopening Worries: As schools are set to reopen on Sept. 1, teachers and parents in high-risk areas say safety guarantees are not ready, with a green/orange/red system used to decide whether classes continue in person or shift to home learning. Frontline Pressure: Reports highlight attacks and insecurity disrupting response work, including burial teams and contact-tracing efforts, complicating containment.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has climbed to 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths (Aug 25), spreading across six provinces and 58 health zones, with nearly half of confirmed patients dying and transmission still not “bent” despite a slowdown in acceleration. WHO Guidance Update: WHO issued updated temporary recommendations for the Bundibugyo strain, adding tighter steps on surveillance, case detection, infection control, clinical care, and risk communication, plus new guidance on social measures, mass gatherings, and domestic mobility. Vaccine Push: Kinshasa received the first Ervebo shipment—16,250 doses—while more batches are expected as WHO and partners plan 70,000 doses; officials stress the vaccine’s role while noting uncertainty about protection against Bundibugyo. Funding Pressure: UN health leaders warn the scaled-up response could face a funding cliff within weeks, threatening surveillance, safe burials, and treatment capacity expansion. Frontline Under Fire: Reports describe attacks on burial and response teams, and community deaths outside treatment centers remain a major challenge. Health Diplomacy: DRC Health Minister Roger Kamba praised China as a priority partner after emergency support for the Ebola response.

Ebola Update: WHO says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has slowed its acceleration but hasn’t “bent the curve,” with confirmed cases now above 5,600 and deaths above 2,700; the virus is spreading across dozens of health zones, and a major worry remains deaths happening in communities rather than Ebola treatment centers. Vaccine Push: Kinshasa has received the first Ervebo shipment (about 16,250 doses) as part of a larger 70,000-dose plan, but officials stress uncertainty over protection against the Bundibugyo strain and the need to keep scaling vaccination, surveillance, and safe care. WHO Guidance: WHO issued updated temporary recommendations for Bundibugyo Ebola, adding tighter surveillance, infection prevention, clinical care, risk communication, and new social measures around gatherings and mobility. Funding Gap: UN health officials warn the scaled-up response could face a funding cliff within weeks, threatening efforts to expand treatment capacity and safe burials. Health Diplomacy: DR Congo’s health minister praised China as a priority partner, citing emergency support for the Ebola response. Press Freedom Under Strain: In rebel-held eastern DRC, authorities in South Kivu reportedly imposed bans on political broadcasting and suspended a Bukavu FM program, raising concerns for journalists working amid the outbreak.

Ebola surge in eastern DRC: DR Congo’s Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak has passed 5,500 confirmed cases and 2,642 deaths, with the WHO calling it a “defining moment” as transmission keeps outpacing control efforts; Ituri remains the epicentre and community deaths are a major concern. Vaccine push: Kinshasa has received the first Ervebo shipment (about 16,250 doses) as part of a larger 70,000-dose plan, while health authorities prepare vaccination for frontline and high-risk groups and a Phase 3 clinical trial. WHO updated guidance: After the second IHR Emergency Committee meeting, WHO issued revised temporary recommendations covering surveillance, case detection, infection prevention, clinical care, risk communication, and new social measures like limits on mass gatherings and domestic movement. Response under attack: Aid workers and burial teams have faced violence, including reports of rescuers chased with machetes, forcing evacuations and disrupting contact tracing. Frontline strain and funding cliff: UN officials warn scale-up funding may run out within weeks, threatening expansion of treatment capacity and community engagement. Press freedom squeezed in rebel areas: The Committee to Protect Journalists says M23/AFC authorities in South Kivu imposed bans on political coverage and suspended a Bukavu FM program, even as health and development topics were ordered to be prioritized. Regional health resilience: East Africa health leaders urged stronger regional health systems and more local medicine production to better prepare for future outbreaks. Trade and health-adjacent business links: Uganda and DRC held a Business Connect Forum in Butembo, drawing firms including those in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and dairy—an indirect boost to health supply chains.

Ebola surge and “defining moment”: DR Congo’s Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak has crossed 5,500 confirmed cases and 2,642 deaths, with the WHO warning the epidemic is still accelerating and that choices in the next phase will decide how fast it can be brought under control. Vaccine deliveries ramp up: Kinshasa received the first 16,250 doses of Ervebo, with about 70,000 doses planned overall; health officials say the vaccine may offer some protection even though there is no approved treatment specifically for Bundibugyo. WHO updates containment rules: WHO issued new temporary recommendations covering surveillance, case detection, infection prevention, clinical care, risk communication, and added guidance on social restrictions, mass gatherings, and domestic movement. Response under pressure: UN officials warn funding could run out within weeks, while violence and attacks on responders are disrupting safe burials, contact tracing, and access to care. Frontline realities: Reports highlight miners and displaced families struggling to reach treatment and get protection, and burial teams being chased during the crisis. Press freedom squeezed in rebel areas: In South Kivu, CPJ says rebel authorities banned political coverage and suspended a Bukavu FM program, raising concerns about information flow during a health emergency.