WHO Sounds Red Alert as Ebola Cases Surge in DR Congo

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concerns over the worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that the disease is spreading rapidly while health authorities struggle to contain infections in the conflict-hit eastern region of the country.

Speaking from Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, WHO Regional Emergencies Director for Africa, Marie-Roseline Belizaire, described the outbreak as a major public health concern despite notable progress in response efforts.
“The outbreak remains serious” and is “evolving so fast,” Belizaire told reporters on Friday.
The outbreak, officially declared on May 15, has been linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine.
Latest WHO data shows that the DRC has recorded 896 confirmed cases and 232 deaths, with 21 new infections reported within the last 24 hours.
More than 90 per cent of the confirmed cases have occurred in Ituri Province, although infections have also been reported in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
Belizaire said health authorities have expanded response measures considerably, increasing Ebola treatment capacity from zero to more than 500 beds.
According to her, surveillance teams are currently investigating nearly 400 alerts and have the capacity to conduct over 2,000 tests each day.
She added that contact tracing efforts have improved, with approximately 75 per cent of identified contacts now being monitored. However, WHO maintains that at least 95 per cent contact tracing coverage is needed to effectively contain the outbreak.
“However, I have seen a response that is growing stronger every day,” Belizaire said.
The outbreak has also spread to neighbouring Uganda, where authorities have confirmed 19 cases, including two deaths. Ten patients have recovered, while no new infections have been recorded in the last 12 days.
Ebola is a highly infectious disease transmitted through close contact with infected persons or their bodily fluids. If not swiftly contained, it can cause severe illness and death.