900+ Ebola Cases Rise in Africa, Kerala’s Suspected Patient’s Test Returns Negative

More than 900 Ebola cases have been confirmed across parts of Central and East Africa as the outbreak in Congo and Uganda continues to expand, prompting renewed calls for stronger domestic financing and vaccine self-reliance from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) .

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said the outbreak, driven by the Bundibugyo virus , has resulted in over 900 confirmed infections and more than 245 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases and two deaths. He warned that the true scale may be higher due to delayed detection and incomplete contact tracing.

The epicentre remains Ituri province in eastern Congo, where health workers are battling difficult conditions including insecurity, weak sanitation, community resistance, and unsafe burial practices. Around 35,000 contacts are currently under active monitoring, while transmission continues across multiple health zones with risks of further spread.

Officials said at least 80 patients have recovered in Congo, but containment remains challenging due to the absence of an approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain. Unlike other Ebola variants such as Zaire, no licensed vaccine currently exists for this strain, making rapid detection and isolation critical.

The Africa CDC has reiterated that the continent produces less than 1% of its vaccine needs and remains heavily dependent on imports. The agency has called for accelerated investment in local manufacturing of vaccines and medicines to reduce future outbreak vulnerability.

Funding efforts include about $80 million in African government pledges and nearly $910 million in broader international commitments , though officials say disbursement and deployment on the ground remain uneven.

In India, an Ebola scare in Kerala was ruled out after a suspected patient tested negative, according to health authorities, bringing relief after precautionary isolation and monitoring measures.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit affected regions in Congo and Uganda next week to support coordination and mobilization of additional resources.