The World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has issued a pressing call for enhanced international assistance to curb a rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He warned that response delays and community mistrust are impeding efforts to control the virus.
Appeal from Ituri Province
Tedros made this appeal on Saturday upon arriving in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, which is among the regions hardest hit by the outbreak. Addressing reporters, he acknowledged the existing support from the international community to the DRC government but underscored the critical need for additional funding and stronger community involvement.
“We are here to discuss with the community, to see how the response is running and if there are challenges to help,” Tedros stated, as reported by AFP. He further added, “You’re not alone in this. We’re here, we’re with you, and we will see this through together.”
Call for Trust-Building Amid Rising Cases
Tedros emphasized that controlling the outbreak necessitates what he termed “community ownership,” which includes addressing misinformation and distrust surrounding the disease response. While international aid is vital, he highlighted that local cooperation remains paramount. “There is experience in this country and under the government’s leadership, and especially with community ownership, we can stop it,” he said, according to AFP.
The WHO chief also urged nations that have imposed travel restrictions or border closures to reconsider these measures, warning that such actions could deter reporting and transparency, which are essential for outbreak control. “The Democratic Republic of Congo has faced Ebola before, 16 times, and has ended every outbreak. This is the 17th. That history gives me real confidence,” Tedros remarked at a press conference, as per AP.
Rapid Spread Across Congo and Uganda
The outbreak, caused by the highly contagious Ebola virus, has spread across three eastern DRC provinces and into neighboring Uganda. According to Africa CDC data, there have been at least 1,077 suspected cases and 246 deaths in the DRC since the outbreak was declared on May 15, along with nine confirmed infections and one death in Uganda. Health officials caution that the true scale of the outbreak may be significantly larger due to limited testing capacity and regional insecurity.
Aid Efforts and Challenges on the Ground
Medical aid is beginning to arrive in Bunia, including supplies from the European Union, and the United States has announced additional funding. However, humanitarian agencies report that the response is struggling to keep pace with the outbreak’s spread. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned that the outbreak is advancing faster than the response, stating, “Never before has an Ebola outbreak recorded so many cases so soon after its declaration.” The organization called for expanded testing, faster deployment of health workers, and improved access for medical supplies.
Health facilities in Ituri province face ongoing challenges, including insecurity, limited infrastructure, and repeated attacks on medical centers, further complicating response operations.
Vaccine Search and Containment Measures
The Ebola strain responsible for the outbreak, Bundibugyo virus, currently has no approved treatment or vaccine. Health authorities said potential vaccines are being evaluated for clinical trials, and a candidate may be ready later this year. For now, WHO states that containment relies on traditional measures such as surveillance, contact tracing, isolation, infection prevention, and safe burial practices.
Uganda has closed its border with the DRC and imposed quarantine measures for arrivals, while displacement camps in eastern Congo remain at high risk due to overcrowding and poor sanitation, raising fears of further spread.
