The Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to spread, with 1,203 confirmed cases reported since its declaration in mid-May, including 321 deaths, according to the latest health ministry update.
Among these cases, 148 patients have recovered, while 419 remain hospitalized or isolated. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, has now affected 34 health zones across Ituri Province—the epicenter of the crisis—as well as North Kivu and South Kivu.
Key challenges in containment
Health authorities highlight several obstacles hampering the response, including resistance within certain communities to post-mortem testing, limited healthcare capacity in Ituri, and contact tracing rates still below the 95% target. Officials are urging the public to report suspected cases, adhere to hygiene measures, and avoid handling corpses to prevent further transmission.
International partners step up coordinated action
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has joined forces with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other global health entities to strengthen the response. Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya confirmed that efforts are underway to contain the spread, despite logistical hurdles.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that armed conflict has severely disrupted containment efforts by restricting access to affected areas, scattering contacts, and deepening community distrust.
Africa’s unified approach to health emergencies
In response, the Africa CDC, in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Africa and the Ugandan government, has launched the Joint Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST). Headquartered at Makerere University in Uganda, this initiative aims to enhance coordination, technical assistance, and cross-border cooperation for the DRC, Uganda, and neighboring nations at risk.
The initiative reflects Africa’s commitment to bolstering its emergency preparedness and response capabilities through locally led and state-driven collaboration.