The spread of Ebola in the United States is negatively impacting a major mineral cooperation project supported by the US in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Although quarantine restrictions have not halted current mining operations, negotiations to expand the partnership are slowing down. Furthermore, trips by some investors, consultants, and suppliers to the country have been canceled.
Congo is one of the world's leading countries in cobalt production and possesses significant copper reserves. Consequently, the US and China have shown active interest in this country's strategic mineral resources in Africa in recent years.
According to a Reuters source, due to the outbreak of the Ebola epidemic, meetings concerning mineral cooperation between the US and Congo have either been postponed or rescheduled for a later date.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80 percent of new Ebola cases spreading in Eastern Congo are linked to unknown transmission chains. Despite large-scale measures being implemented, the epidemic is developing faster than the level of monitoring by medical personnel.
Since May, an unusual strain of the Ebola virus has been observed in Congo, for which there is currently no approved treatment or vaccine. The Africa Centre for Disease Control reports that this is the fastest-developing Ebola outbreak on the continent.
A WHO representative told the Associated Press that as of today, 80 percent of new cases are outside the contact list, indicating transmission through unknown routes.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the number of Ebola victims has reached 600 people. According to data from the country's Ministry of Health, the total number of confirmed cases is 1,759.
The situation is causing growing alarm as suspicious cases are now being detected even in regions where the disease was not previously reported. Specifically, two suspected Ebola infections have been identified in the city of Kisangani, which is the center of the Tshopo province in the north of the country. One case is linked to the outbreak in Ituri province, while the other has no connection to existing hotspots.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the virus is spreading rapidly due to issues related to population migration and security. Furthermore, some treatment centers are operating at near capacity. The situation is exacerbated by a shortage of medical personnel, as doctors and nurses claim they have not received salaries for several months since the epidemic was declared. A lack of protective equipment and harsh working conditions are also sources of discontent. Officials stated that measures are being taken to address these problems.
Experts emphasized that this epidemic is associated with the 'Bundibugyo' virus strain, and currently, there is no approved vaccine or effective treatment for this pathogen. Consequently, scientists began initial clinical trials against the disease last week and intensified research aimed at containing the spread of the virus.
The World Health Organization reported the start of clinical trials for two experimental drugs in the Democratic Republic of Congo to combat hemorrhagic fever caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
The trials are being conducted as part of the PARTNERS program and include two medications: a mixture of two pan-ebolavirus monoclonal antibodies, MBP134, and a low-molecular-weight antiviral drug from the nucleoside analog group, remdesivir. These agents can be used either individually or in combination. These drugs were included in the guidelines for the prevention and experimental treatment of the infection, which were developed by experts and advisory groups involved with the WHO.
Since there are currently no approved vaccines or drugs against the rare Bundibugyo ebolavirus, the situation remains critical. The outbreak of Ebola fever in Congo and Uganda was reported on May 17, 2026, after which the World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency of international concern.
Currently, 1,460 cases have been registered in Congo, leading to 452 deaths, although 208 patients have recovered. An additional 20 cases have been confirmed in neighboring Uganda, including two fatalities, and one imported case has been recorded in France. Experts warn that the true size of the outbreak may be much larger, and there is a possibility that this epidemic could become the worst in history, requiring at least a year to contain.
In another area of medicine, Israeli specialists reported achieving the world's first success in treating opioid addiction using ultrasound stimulation of the nucleus accumbens. According to information posted on the website of the British branch of the Rambam Medical Center, a 20-minute procedure helped a patient in the acute phase of withdrawal syndrome reduce cravings, which previously exceeded the recommended drug dose by tens of times, to a zero score out of ten.
