The UN health agency has called for an urgent expansion of containment efforts as the virus covers more health zones
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) is getting out of control, with new cases doubling in some hotspots over the past week, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
Response efforts must be “urgently and massively” expanded across all fronts as the disease is “spreading faster than” efforts to contain it, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said after meeting health and humanitarian partners in Kinshasa on Thursday.
Only a week ago the UN health agency described it as the largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded in the African country, surpassing the one in 2018-2020. The outbreak is being caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or targeted treatment.
Official data from the DR Congo’s Ministry of Health also points to a rapidly worsening situation. Between July 31 and August 4, the number of confirmed Ebola cases rose from 3,674 to 3,973, while the death toll increased from 1,621 to 1,801. The case fatality rate also climbed from 44.1% to 45.3%.
The affected area has also expanded. The number of health zones reporting Ebola cases increased from 49 to 51 across five provinces, with Ituri remaining the epicenter.
According to the WHO chief, responders face major challenges, including insecurity and mass displacement, which are hampering efforts to reach affected communities. He called for stronger coordination under the Congolese government’s leadership, better protection and support for healthcare workers, and faster access to treatment, disease surveillance, and safe burials.
DR Congo continues to grapple with instability as the M23 rebel group maintains control over parts of the country, fueling clashes and humanitarian emergencies.
The US announced an additional $242 million this week for Ebola response and preparedness efforts in DR Congo and neighboring countries. According to the State Department, the package brings Washington’s total outbreak-related assistance to more than $512 million.
The funding comes weeks after a US-backed Ebola quarantine facility for Americans in Kenya sparked legal challenges and protests, with activists alleging the site was operating despite a court order halting the project.
Russia has also contributed to the regional response. Earlier this year, the country’s public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, deployed specialists to Uganda and supplied domestically developed diagnostic tests, while PCR kits were also delivered to neighboring DR Congo. In July, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow was ready to begin mass production of a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain if requested by African partners.
Uganda, which also recorded Ebola cases linked to the virus earlier this year, declared its outbreak over last week after completing the required monitoring period.
