Lilian Nyiva
The World Health Organization has warned that countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo are at high risk of an Ebola outbreak and must act immediately to prevent further spread of the deadly virus.
Speaking during a virtual ministerial meeting on Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the current Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo is spreading rapidly and that health authorities are struggling to keep pace with the epidemic
According to the WHO, the outbreak was first detected on May 15 in the eastern provinces of the DRC. Since then, the organization has recorded 10 confirmed Ebola-related deaths and about 220 suspected deaths linked to the virus. One confirmed death has also been reported in neighbouring Uganda.
Tedros warned that the delay in identifying the outbreak allowed the virus to spread quickly before emergency response teams could fully mobilize.
“We are urgently scaling up operations but at the moment, the epidemic is outpacing us,” he said during the briefing from Geneva.
Security Challenges Hindering Response
The WHO chief noted that the outbreak is occurring in parts of eastern DR Congo affected by insecurity and armed conflict. Fighting in the region has intensified in recent months, making it difficult for health workers to access affected communities.
He also highlighted growing distrust among some local residents toward outside authorities and humanitarian organizations, a factor that has complicated efforts to contain the disease in previous Ebola outbreaks.
Health experts say mistrust can slow down critical measures such as contact tracing, isolation of infected patients, and safe burial practices.
No Approved Vaccine for Current Ebola Strain
Another major concern raised by the WHO is that the current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.
While vaccines have been successfully used in previous outbreaks involving the Zaire strain of Ebola, scientists are still working to develop effective medical countermeasures against the Bundibugyo variant.
The WHO said emergency teams are being deployed to strengthen surveillance, testing, treatment centres, and public awareness campaigns in affected regions.
Regional Risk Remains High
The WHO has identified at least 10 African countries as being at risk due to their proximity and movement of people across borders. Countries neighbouring DR Congo have been urged to enhance screening at border points, improve disease surveillance systems, and prepare isolation and treatment facilities.
Tedros is expected to travel to the DRC to assess the situation and coordinate the international response efforts.
Ebola is a severe viral haemorrhagic disease that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated materials. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
