DRC and WHO Intensify Response to Contain Ebola Outbreak Across Multiple Provinces
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in close collaboration with the World Health Organisation, has stepped up efforts to contain an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which is affecting several provinces in the country.
The outbreak has been reported in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, prompting health authorities and international partners to mobilise resources urgently to prevent further transmission and protect vulnerable communities in a region already burdened by conflict and displacement.
A joint statement issued by the DRC Government and WHO highlighted a particularly concerning dimension of the current outbreak: there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment available for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Unlike the Zaire strain, which has benefited from the development of effective vaccines in recent years, the Bundibugyo variant presents unique challenges that limit the tools available to health responders.
Despite the absence of a targeted vaccine, health experts emphasise that proven public health measures remain highly effective in controlling the spread of the disease. Early detection, prompt medical care and supportive treatment have been shown to significantly improve survival rates among those infected.
Authorities have urged the public to observe key preventive measures, including regular handwashing, seeking medical attention immediately when symptoms develop, avoiding contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, and adhering strictly to guidance from health officials. They have also called on communities to combat misinformation by sharing verified information and discouraging rumours that could undermine response efforts.
The joint statement placed particular emphasis on the critical role of communities in stopping the outbreak. Local leaders, healthcare workers, youth groups and families are central to surveillance, awareness creation and infection prevention activities in affected areas.
“The involvement and trust of communities are essential to ending the outbreak,” the statement declared, acknowledging that community engagement has historically been the decisive factor in containing Ebola outbreaks in the DRC.
The DRC brings considerable experience to the current challenge. The country has successfully contained multiple Ebola outbreaks in recent years through coordinated public health interventions and sustained community engagement, including the devastating 2018–2020 outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri that killed more than 2,200 people.
That experience, combined with strong leadership, active community participation and continued international support, gives health authorities confidence that the current outbreak can be brought under control. The WHO and the DRC Government have reaffirmed their commitment to working together to strengthen surveillance, enhance case management and support affected communities until transmission is halted.
The outbreak serves as a reminder that Ebola remains a persistent threat in Central Africa, and that sustained investment in health infrastructure and emergency preparedness is essential to protecting populations across the continent.
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