Ebola Spreading Fast in DR Congo, WHO Warns

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has continued to spread rapidly, prompting a fresh warning from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday.

The WHO said it is struggling to keep pace with the worsening outbreak, which was officially declared on May 15 in the country’s northeastern region.

Speaking from Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, WHO Africa emergencies chief Marie-Roseline Belizaire said the situation remains critical. “The outbreak remains serious” and is “evolving so fast,” Belizaire said.

However, Belizaire noted that efforts to contain the virus are becoming stronger every day.

According to the latest WHO figures, the DRC has recorded 896 confirmed Ebola cases and 232 confirmed deaths, with 21 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.

The outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment.

WHO Africa emergencies chief Marie-Roseline Belizaire. Credit: X.

More than 90 percent of the confirmed cases have been reported in conflict-affected Ituri Province, although the virus has also spread to North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

Health officials have expanded treatment capacity from zero to more than 500 beds, while surveillance teams are now investigating nearly 400 alerts and conducting over 2,000 tests daily.

The WHO also said contact-tracing efforts have improved, with about 75 percent of identified contacts now being reached. The organisation says at least 95 percent of contacts must be traced to effectively contain the outbreak.

Belizaire explained that some infected individuals delay seeking medical care, often remaining at home or visiting traditional healers before going to health facilities.

Despite the rising cases, 78 people have recovered from the disease in the DRC.

“A timely diagnosis and access to quality healthcare can save lives,” Belizaire said.

The outbreak has also taken a toll on healthcare workers. So far, 75 health workers have been infected, while 17 have died.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths and 10 recoveries. Authorities say no new cases have been reported there for the past 12 days.

The World Health Organisation and other international partners continue to scale up surveillance and response efforts as they race to contain the outbreak.

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