World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced progress in the fight against Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Speaking to journalists in Geneva after a visit to the DRC, Ghebreyesus expressed satisfaction with the government’s commitment to combating the outbreak. He acknowledged the spread of the virus to neighboring Uganda, stating, “What I saw gave me hope. The outbreak had a huge beginning, and we are still behind, but we are making progress under the leadership of the DRC Government.”
Case Numbers Decline
While there is no specific treatment for the current outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain, three vaccines are in development. Ghebreyesus reported 344 confirmed cases in the DRC, with 60 deaths. The number of suspected cases, which exceeded 1,000 last week, has fallen to 116 as teams work to process backlogged cases. The outbreak’s epicenter is in the eastern Ituri province, with cases also appearing in North and South Kivu provinces. This is occurring amidst ongoing violence from armed groups, other health threats like malaria, and significant humanitarian needs. In Bunia, the capital of Ituri, three Ebola treatment centers with a total of 80 beds have become operational. Treatment units have also been established in five other regional cities, with more planned.
Risk and Recovery
In Uganda, 15 confirmed cases and one death have been recorded, including a Congolese national who arrived from the United Arab Emirates. An American citizen infected in the DRC continues to receive treatment in Germany. The WHO maintains its risk assessment of very high nationally, high regionally, and low globally. To date, six individuals in the DRC and two in Uganda have recovered. This recovery highlights that “people can survive Ebola if they have access to care and seek medical attention as soon as they show symptoms,” Ghebreyesus commented.
Call for Enhanced Efforts
Ghebreyesus emphasized that increasing laboratory and diagnostic capacity is a key priority for a faster response. He specifically called for action on contact tracing, which has been complicated by insecurity, displacement, and population movements. The current tracing rate is around 45%, falling short of the over 90% needed to contain the outbreak. The WHO also urged countries implementing travel restrictions to lift them, as these measures disrupt supply chains and hinder response efforts. The UN agency recommends exit screening at airports, seaports, and border crossings.
Building Community Trust
Ghebreyesus underscored the critical importance of building trust with local communities to control the outbreak. “Community mistrust is a serious barrier,” he stated, adding, “Some community leaders have said they believe Ebola is not real.” Although no vaccine or treatment is currently available for this outbreak, the WHO and its partners are working to accelerate clinical trials. In this context, Ghebreyesus convened the second meeting of a medical network established after the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at strengthening diagnostics, supporting clinical trials in affected countries, and accelerating the overall response. He concluded, “While vaccines and treatments would be a great help, the key to ending this outbreak is not biomedical. It is leadership, ownership, partnership, and trust.”
Commitment and Support
The DRC has faced 16 previous Ebola outbreaks, and Ghebreyesus expressed determination that this one will also be stopped. However, he noted that the “true measure of success” will be preventing future recurrences and addressing broader health needs. “If the people of Ituri survive Ebola only to die of malaria, malnutrition, pneumonia, diarrhea, HIV, or diabetes, we will not have truly helped them,” he stated. The WHO and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to ending the outbreak under the leadership of DRC authorities. “When it is over, our commitment to support the government and local communities to build the health and humanitarian services they need and deserve will continue,” he pledged.
