By Michael Omotosho |
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have called for an urgent expansion of community-led efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), warning that the virus is spreading faster than current response measures in some parts of the country.
The appeal followed a joint high-level mission to Uganda and the DRC on 4 and 5 August, where officials reviewed Uganda’s successful containment efforts and assessed the worsening situation in Bunia, Ituri Province, the epicentre of the outbreak.
The delegation was led by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya, and WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi.
Uganda’s Success Offers Lessons
During the visit to Kampala, the delegation met government officials and response teams following Uganda’s declaration of the end of its Ebola outbreak on 28 July 2026.
Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, with all identified contacts completing follow-up monitoring.
According to Africa CDC and WHO, Uganda’s response demonstrated that early detection, rapid contact tracing, strong community engagement, coordinated national action and cross-border surveillance remain essential in stopping Ebola outbreaks.
However, both organizations cautioned that neighbouring countries must remain vigilant as continued transmission in the DRC still poses a regional threat.
Communities Hold the Key
In Bunia, officials met provincial authorities, frontline health workers, community representatives and humanitarian partners. The delegation also visited the Rwangole Ebola Treatment Centre to assess its readiness to handle more patients.
The visit reinforced the importance of placing communities at the centre of the response.
Africa CDC and WHO stressed that people need accurate information from trusted local voices so they can recognize symptoms early, report suspected cases promptly and seek treatment without fear. The organizations also highlighted the role of religious, youth, women’s and community leaders in building trust and encouraging public cooperation.
Officials acknowledged the difficult conditions facing responders, including insecurity, misinformation, population displacement, poor road access and pressure on already stretched health facilities.
Outbreak Continues to Worsen
According to the latest figures released on 4 August 2026, the DRC has recorded 3,973 confirmed Ebola cases, 1,801 deaths and 776 recoveries across 51 health zones in five provinces.
Within just 24 hours, the country reported 99 new confirmed cases and 52 deaths.
Health officials also expressed concern that contact follow-up remains at 75 percent, well below the 95 percent target considered necessary to quickly interrupt chains of transmission.
At the same time, 674 people were receiving treatment, while Ebola treatment centres in North Kivu were operating at 139 percent capacity, putting additional pressure on health workers and available resources.
Calls for Immediate Action
Africa CDC and WHO urged authorities and partners to strengthen early case detection, improve contact tracing, expand treatment and laboratory services, ensure timely payment and protection for frontline health workers, improve infection prevention in health facilities, and maintain essential health services.
The organizations also called for better access to insecure areas, stronger collaboration with trusted community leaders, increased cross-border surveillance and the rapid release of funding to frontline response operations.
Leaders Reaffirm Support
The mission concluded in Kinshasa, where the delegation met with President Félix Tshisekedi and senior government officials to discuss findings from the field.
Discussions focused on strengthening government leadership, improving operational coordination, expanding community engagement, supporting health workers and accelerating the deployment of additional resources.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the outbreak is advancing faster than response efforts in parts of eastern DRC.
“In some areas of eastern DRC, the Ebola outbreak is outpacing our response, making it imperative that we rapidly scale up every aspect of our efforts to contain it,” Dr Tedros said. “We stand in solidarity with the Government, affected communities and the courageous health workers serving under exceptionally difficult circumstances. But this must be backed by sustained commitment, greater resources and stronger international support.”
Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya said communities remain central to ending the outbreak.
“Containing and ultimately stopping this outbreak will come from communities,” Kaseya said. “When people have information they trust, can report symptoms early and seek care without fear, we can break every chain of transmission. Our responsibility is to bring the response closer to communities and give frontline teams the support they need.”
No Travel Restrictions Advised
Africa CDC and WHO reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government of the DRC through a coordinated response involving national authorities, humanitarian partners and affected communities.
The organizations also advised against unnecessary travel or trade restrictions, urging countries instead to strengthen surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, preparedness and cross-border coordination to prevent further spread of the disease.
