GENEVA, Switzerland — The World Health Organization has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading at a faster pace than during any previous outbreak of the deadly virus, with over 2,000 cases and 796 deaths confirmed since the outbreak was declared two months ago, making it the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters that the outbreak, which was declared on May 15 after the disease had spread undetected for weeks, has expanded faster than ever seen before. By comparison, the major Ebola outbreak in DRC in 2018-2020 took more than ten months to reach 2,000 confirmed cases.
The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Unlike previous outbreaks caused by the Zaire virus, health workers are battling the virus without the protection of licensed vaccines, complicating containment efforts.
According to the WHO, more than 80 percent of new cases are being detected outside known contact lists, indicating that transmission chains are still being missed. About two-thirds of deaths are occurring in communities among people who never receive care in a health facility. WHO modelling indicates the outbreak’s true scale could be at least two to four times the number of reported cases.
The outbreak has spread to five provinces—Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, and Haut-Uele—and has also reached neighbouring Uganda. However, up to 95 percent of new cases still originate in Ituri Province, where the outbreak started.
Health officials have warned that the situation remains critical, with treatment capacity expanded to more than 800 beds and laboratory capacity increased from one to sixteen. Despite these efforts, the response continues to be outpaced by the virus.
Active armed conflict in eastern DRC is hampering access to affected areas and hindering the response, with an Ebola treatment centre in Bunia recently attacked. Community resistance, insecurity, and limited access in some affected areas have further complicated containment efforts.
Tedros stressed the urgent need for more international support, pointing to a shortfall of more than $400 million for the joint response plan put forward by WHO and the African Centres for Disease Control.
Despite the challenges, 377 people have recovered from the disease, demonstrating that with early diagnosis and safe care, the disease can be survived. Trials for potential treatments and vaccines are currently underway in Ituri.
