WHO Warns of Rapidly Escalating Ebola Outbreak in Congo

The World Health Organization (WHO) said more than 900 suspected cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and at least 220 suspected deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as the outbreak spreads faster than health authorities can contain it.

In a statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the outbreak, which the agency has classified as a public health emergency of international concern, poses an increasing regional threat.

The UN health agency raised its national risk assessment for the DRC from “high” to “very high,” while warning that neighbouring countries, particularly Uganda, remain at elevated risk after confirming five cases and one death linked to the virus.

Health officials said efforts to contain the outbreak have been severely complicated by insecurity and mistrust in eastern Congo, where armed conflict has displaced more than 100,000 people in recent weeks.

Two Ebola treatment centres in the region were set on fire in recent days, further disrupting response operations.

Marie Roseline Belizaire, WHO Africa’s director of emergency response, said misinformation campaigns circulating on social media were fuelling distrust toward outside authorities and healthcare teams.

She said false information had slowed case investigations and limited access to affected communities, increasing the risk of wider transmission.

Strict burial measures imposed by authorities have also triggered anger among local residents. Funeral gatherings involving more than 50 people have been banned in parts of northeastern Congo, while armed police and soldiers have accompanied Ebola burial operations carried out by health workers.

Belizaire said WHO was working with local traditional leaders and healers to improve community engagement and strengthen protection for frontline medical staff.

Families are still allowed to mourn victims, she said, but are prohibited from touching bodies to prevent infection. WHO teams provide protective equipment so relatives can participate safely in burial preparations and prayers.

Despite outbreaks of the Bundibugyo strain dating back nearly two decades, there are still no approved vaccines or treatments specifically targeting the virus.

WHO said it had recommended prioritising two antibody treatments in clinical trials, alongside evaluation of the antiviral drug obeldesivir for high-risk contacts.

The agency is expanding emergency operations on the ground, including contact tracing, treatment centres, laboratory support, infection control and public awareness campaigns. WHO has released $3.9 million from its contingency emergency fund to support the response efforts.