The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo is severely disrupting efforts to control an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said eastern DR Congo is facing a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict,” adding that the outbreak in Ituri province is outpacing the response.
In a statement on X, he said the WHO “cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling.”
He is expected to arrive in DR Congo to help scale up efforts to contain the virus. At least 220 suspected deaths have been reported since the outbreak was declared.
Aid workers say response efforts are being hampered by poor road infrastructure, ongoing conflict, and large-scale displacement, all of which have weakened the health system. Reduced international aid has further strained operations.
Most cases have been reported in Ituri province, which has been under military rule since 2021 following the replacement of civilian administration in an effort to counter armed groups operating in the region.
Tedros said stopping transmission depends entirely on humanitarian access, warning that continued clashes are forcing mass displacement, pushing exposed people into overcrowded camps and breaking containment efforts.
He added that frontline health workers are operating under extreme risk, while attacks on health facilities are making it nearly impossible to trace cases and contacts. He called for an immediate ceasefire to allow safe access for medical teams.
Health officials in DR Congo say around 1,000 people are currently showing symptoms consistent with Ebola. However, only 17 of the reported 220 deaths have been confirmed through laboratory testing.
The outbreak involves a rare strain of Ebola known as Bundibugyo, for which no approved vaccines or treatments are currently available, although experimental therapies are being considered.
Contact tracing efforts are also underway for about 3,600 people, while thousands of testing kits are being distributed to improve detection.
Humanitarian organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières, say insecurity and weak transport networks are making it extremely difficult to reach affected areas and establish proper control measures.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has announced it is increasing its presence on the ground, deploying additional experts to support response efforts through the EU Health Task Force.
