The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) is travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo as a fast-spreading Ebola outbreak in the country’s northeast continues to outpace containment efforts and strain fragile health systems.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is expected to arrive in Kinshasa before heading to Ituri province, the epicentre of the outbreak, where health teams are struggling to track infections amid insecurity and logistical constraints.
The outbreak, driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment, has been declared a public health emergency of international concern.
Tedros said on social media platform X that Congo had defeated Ebola 16 times before and could do so again, but warned that urgent action was needed to prevent further escalation.
Health authorities say the outbreak has already become the third largest on record, with more than 1,000 suspected cases reported and over 120 confirmed infections, alongside hundreds of suspected deaths. Experts caution that the true toll is likely higher due to gaps in surveillance and reporting.
The response is focused on identifying cases, isolating patients and strengthening testing capacity, but officials say efforts are lagging behind the speed of transmission.
The World Health Organization is working with Congo’s national medical research institutions to expand laboratory testing and improve case detection in affected regions.
Humanitarian operations are also being supported by the United Nations peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, which has delivered medical supplies to Ituri province as part of ongoing relief efforts.
More Read
However, aid workers say restrictions on flights into key hubs such as Bunia are slowing the delivery of critical supplies and limiting the movement of response teams.
The outbreak is unfolding in an area already affected by armed conflict, including activity by multiple militias in eastern Congo, further complicating access to vulnerable communities.
Tedros has called for a temporary ceasefire to allow health workers to operate safely, warning that ongoing violence is contributing to displacement and worsening disease transmission in overcrowded camps.
Several countries have introduced travel-related restrictions in response to the outbreak, reflecting growing international concern over cross-border spread.
The United States has tightened entry rules for travellers from affected countries, while other governments have increased screening and quarantine measures at airports and border points.
Public health experts say coordinated regional action will be essential to contain the outbreak, particularly given the absence of effective vaccines for the current strain and the challenging security environment in eastern Congo.
