The World Health Organization has warned that the worsening conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is making it extremely difficult to contain the country’s latest Ebola outbreak.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the situation in Ituri province as a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict,” saying the outbreak is spreading faster than health workers can respond.
In a statement shared on X, Tedros said health officials cannot properly isolate infected patients or build trust within communities while violence continues across the region. He is expected to arrive in DR Congo on Wednesday to help coordinate efforts aimed at controlling the outbreak.
More than 220 suspected deaths have already been recorded since the outbreak was officially declared. Health workers are facing major challenges, including poor road conditions, insecurity, mass displacement, and shortages caused by cuts to international aid funding.
Most of the Ebola cases have been reported in Ituri province, an area that has remained under military rule since 2021 because of ongoing attacks by armed groups. According to WHO officials, continuing clashes are forcing thousands of people into overcrowded camps, increasing the risk of further spread.
Tedros called for an immediate ceasefire, saying humanitarian workers need safe access to communities in order to trace infections and provide treatment. He also warned that attacks on health facilities are making it nearly impossible to monitor cases effectively.
Concerns over the outbreak have pushed several countries to tighten travel restrictions. Canada announced a temporary 90-day entry ban on residents from DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, while the Bahamas introduced strict quarantine rules. The United States also recently restricted entry for non-citizens who had travelled to the affected countries.
Health officials in DR Congo say around 1,000 people are currently showing symptoms linked to Ebola. However, confirming cases remains difficult because testing capacity is still limited. Although over 220 suspected deaths have been reported, only 17 have so far been confirmed through laboratory testing.
Medical teams are also trying to trace approximately 3,600 people believed to have come into contact with infected individuals. Around 2,000 tests have already been distributed, with thousands more expected soon.
The outbreak involves a rare strain of Ebola known as Bundibugyo, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments. Experimental therapies, including an antibody treatment developed in the United States, may soon be introduced as part of emergency response efforts.
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières said insecurity and transportation difficulties continue to slow the movement of medical workers and supplies into the hardest-hit areas.
European health authorities have also announced plans to increase their support on the ground through the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
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