The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on Friday that the deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is spreading rapidly, even as response efforts are being intensified.
Outbreak Status and Response
“The outbreak remains serious and is evolving very fast. However, I have seen a response that is growing stronger every day,” said Marie-Roseline Belizaire, WHO’s Africa emergencies chief, during a press briefing in Bunia, the epicenter of the outbreak. She noted that contact tracing has improved, with approximately 75% of known contacts now being reached. However, WHO emphasizes that at least 95% must be traced to effectively control the outbreak.
The outbreak was officially declared on May 15, but transmission is believed to have been occurring undetected for some time prior to that. Belizaire highlighted that some patients initially seek help from traditional healers or remain at home before visiting health facilities, which delays treatment. She added that treatment capacity has significantly increased, from zero beds to over 500.
Virus Strain and Cases
The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment. According to WHO figures, there have been 896 confirmed cases and 232 confirmed deaths, including 21 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. More than 90% of cases are concentrated in the conflict-hit Ituri province, though the virus has also spread to North Kivu and South Kivu.
In total, 78 people have recovered, which Belizaire described as a reminder that timely diagnosis and access to healthcare can save lives. The WHO continues to scale up its response, working with local authorities to contain the outbreak.
