Ebola outbreak in DRC: Africa CDC and WHO intensify response

The Ebola virus epidemic continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with 1,203 recorded cases and 321 deaths since it was declared in mid-May, according to the latest health ministry update released Friday.

Health authorities report that 148 patients have recovered, while 419 others remain hospitalised or in isolation. Caused by the Bundibugyo strain, the outbreak now affects 34 health zones across Ituri province, the main epicentre, as well as North Kivu and South Kivu.

The health ministry highlights several obstacles hampering the response, including community refusal to undergo post-mortem testing, limited treatment capacity in Ituri, and a contact tracing rate that remains below the 95% target. Officials urge the public to report any suspected cases, follow hygiene measures, and avoid handling dead bodies.

International partners remain actively engaged. Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), confirmed that the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), along with Congolese and French authorities, are pursuing a coordinated response to contain the epidemic.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the armed conflict severely complicates health operations by limiting access to affected areas, scattering contacts, and fuelling community distrust.

In this context, Africa CDC announced the launch, in partnership with the WHO Regional Office for Africa and the Ugandan government, of a Joint Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST). Based at Makerere University in Uganda, this platform aims to strengthen intervention coordination, technical assistance, and cross-border cooperation for the DRC, Uganda, and neighbouring countries at risk.

According to Africa CDC, this initiative reflects the continent’s commitment to bolster its emergency preparedness and response capacities through coordinated, African-led action.