The World Health Organization (WHO) has maintained its classification of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a global public health emergency, warning that transmission remains intense and the outbreak is continuing to expand, according to Reuters and AP News. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said nearly 5,000 people have been infected and more than 2,300 have died, with cases now reported across six provinces and 55 health zones.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, was first confirmed in northeastern Ituri Province in May. WHO officials say insecurity, population displacement and movement along roads, rivers and mining routes are making containment increasingly difficult. The organisation has warned that many new infections are occurring outside known transmission chains, increasing the risk of further spread.
The emergency comes with significant funding and medical challenges. WHO estimates that about $115 million is required for the response, but only around 60% has so far been secured. Two vaccines are undergoing clinical trials, while health authorities are also assessing whether an existing Ebola vaccine could provide protection against the Bundibugyo strain.
For the DRC and the wider African health system, the continued emergency designation underscores the need for faster case detection, stronger surveillance and sustained international financing. WHO officials believe the outbreak can still be brought under control within three months if sufficient resources are mobilised, but the accelerating number of infections means the window for containment is narrowing.
