The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is now “outpacing” emergency response efforts after suspected deaths climbed to 220.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus disclosed during a Virtual Ministerial Briefing on the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak on Monday that more than 900 suspected cases have now been identified across affected regions.
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According to the WHO, 101 cases and 10 deaths have been laboratory confirmed so far, but officials believe the actual scale of the outbreak is significantly larger due to delayed detection and limited surveillance capabilities.
“There are now more than 900 suspected cases and 220 suspected deaths,” Tedros stated, adding that health authorities are struggling to catch up with the speed of transmission.
Ebola Emergency Escalates Across Central Africa
The outbreak was officially declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17 after infections spread beyond the DRC into neighboring Uganda, where authorities have already confirmed seven cases and one death.
The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, a variant for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. The strain has previously surfaced only twice in recorded history — in Uganda in 2007 and in the DRC in 2012.
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WHO officials say the absence of licensed vaccines or therapeutics has complicated containment efforts, prompting the organization to recommend monoclonal antibody candidates for urgent clinical trials.
Conflict And Distrust Hampering Response
The outbreak is concentrated in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, regions already devastated by armed conflict, mass displacement, and attacks on healthcare infrastructure.
Recent fighting in the region has reportedly displaced more than 100,000 people, worsening the humanitarian situation and increasing fears of wider cross-border transmission.
WHO officials also confirmed that two separate security incidents targeted health facilities last week, further disrupting containment operations and reducing community trust in health workers.
Tedros warned that the outbreak will likely worsen before improving but insisted that global health agencies remain committed to stopping the spread.
“It will get worse before it gets better. But we know this virus, and we know how to stop it,” he said.
WHO Raises National Risk Level To ‘Very High’
The WHO has now elevated the national risk assessment in the DRC to “very high,” while maintaining the regional threat level at “high” and the global risk level at “low.” Neighboring countries have been urged to intensify surveillance and preparedness measures immediately.
Tedros is expected to travel to the DRC alongside the WHO’s emergencies director as international operations continue to scale up in an attempt to prevent a larger continental health crisis.
The latest outbreak has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of fragile healthcare systems in conflict zones and the growing challenge of containing infectious diseases amid insecurity and displacement.
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