The head of the World Health Organization has warned that countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo are at high risk from Ebola and must take immediate action to contain the outbreak.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday that he would travel to the DRC, describing the situation as a rapidly expanding outbreak of the deadly virus.
“The outbreak is spreading rapidly,” Tedros said during a virtual ministerial briefing, noting that the WHO is “playing catch-up” as the epidemic advances faster than response efforts.
He explained that delayed detection, insecurity in eastern provinces, and community mistrust are making containment efforts more difficult. The region has also seen intensified fighting in recent months, further complicating access for health workers.
A further challenge, he said, is that there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola responsible for the outbreak.
Ebola is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever that spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and can lead to internal bleeding, organ failure, and death.
According to WHO data, 10 confirmed deaths and 220 suspected deaths have been recorded in the DRC since May 15, while one case has been confirmed in neighbouring Uganda.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that up to ten African countries could be at risk due to regional spread.
Health authorities across Central Africa have been urged to strengthen surveillance, improve early detection, and prepare emergency response systems to prevent further transmission.
