The World Health Organization (WHO) says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with nearly 11,000 confirmed cases and more than 5,300 deaths recorded across eight provinces.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, disclosed the figures during a briefing to member states, noting that nearly 3,000 patients had recovered and transmission was declining in some affected areas. He, however, warned that new hotspots continued to emerge, with insecurity, population displacement, difficult terrain and heavy rainfall hampering response operations.
Ghebreyesus said attacks on communities and health facilities had severely disrupted containment efforts, citing an incident in Cantine-Aloya that killed 66 civilians, including three health workers. He added that three health facilities were looted and burnt, more than 1,000 contacts were lost to follow-up, while three confirmed Ebola cases remained unaccounted for. He also expressed concern over delayed payments to frontline health workers, warning that the situation could trigger strikes and further disrupt the response.
The WHO chief said the organisation was working with the DRC government, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other partners to strengthen surveillance, laboratory testing, clinical care, contact tracing, safe burials and community engagement. He disclosed that a trial involving the Ervebo vaccine had begun, while expert groups had recommended two additional vaccine candidates specifically developed against the Bundibugyo virus. He stressed, however, that vaccination must complement immediate interventions such as early treatment, isolation and contact tracing.
Ghebreyesus also disclosed that Kenya had reported nine cases linked to an imported infection from the DRC, including two deaths, but had discharged its final patient and begun the mandatory 42-day countdown towards being declared Ebola-free. Nigeria, he said, recorded one imported case involving a Swiss citizen who was evacuated to Switzerland with their spouse. He urged countries to avoid blanket travel restrictions, calling instead for targeted, evidence-based public health measures, stronger regional preparedness and sustained funding for response operations.
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