The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has expressed support for the immediate implementation of the decisions made by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to control the expanding Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.

In a statement issued on Monday, the African Union's specialized public health agency commended the DRC's health authorities for advancing a comprehensive package of "bold, innovative measures" to contain the outbreak. It said such national ownership provided the authority, speed and accountability needed to deliver an emergency response at scale.

The response measures, among other things, include large-scale vaccination and a village-centered response to identify every suspected case and death, and ensure that protection, care and reliable information reach every community.

The DRC has recorded a total of 4,381 confirmed cases and more than 2,000 deaths since it declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15, according to the latest data released Tuesday by local health authorities.

A health worker dries boots that were washed to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus at the treatment center in Bunia General Hospital in Ituri, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, August 11, 2026. /VCG

The Africa CDC highlighted the outbreak's rapid geographic spread, which has expanded from 11 health zones in one province on May 15 to 53 health zones across the DRC's five provinces.

Noting that transmission is outpacing conventional operations, the Africa CDC indicated that only about 10% of expected contacts have been listed, while roughly four in five new infections are occurring outside known transmission chains.

The comprehensive response package by the DRC government and its partners also encompasses strengthening the management of humanitarian issues, including the safe reopening of schools, as well as strong coordination and end-to-end financial accountability, it was noted.

The agency stressed that the strategic use of the existing Ervebo vaccine â because of its potential cross-protection â is the only vaccination strategy currently available, which must be deployed rapidly and at a larger scale to reduce severe disease and deaths.

"This recommendation is driven by the urgency of the outbreak, the growing, though not yet conclusive, body of evidence for cross-protection, and Ervebo's established safety profile and availability," it said.

(With input from Xinhua)