UN warns Ebola risk ‘very high’ in Eastern DR Congo amid outbreak

Africa, Health, Uncategorized

GENEVA, Switzerland (NPA) — The United Nations has warned that the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) now poses a “very high” national risk as health authorities intensify emergency response efforts across the conflict-ravaged region.

According to a United Nations report released on Friday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed that at least 82 Ebola cases and seven deaths have already been recorded in the DRC, although the actual scale of the outbreak is believed to be far worse, with nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths reported.

The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, is spreading across Ituri and North Kivu provinces amid intensified armed conflict, mass displacement, and widespread mistrust fuelled by misinformation and rumours.

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The UN disclosed that one hospital in Ituri Province was recently set ablaze by angry relatives after authorities reportedly refused to release the body of a deceased family member over fears of contamination.

In response to the growing crisis, the WHO has deployed 22 international staff members to affected areas, while UNICEF has sent emergency response teams to Bunia to support contact tracing, treatment centres, community engagement, and risk communication campaigns.

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, also announced the release of up to $60 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to support outbreak containment efforts in the DRC and neighbouring countries. WHO separately released an additional $3.9 million for emergency operations.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, MONUSCO, has airlifted nearly 30 tons of emergency supplies, including medicines, tents, and protective equipment, while also providing vehicles and logistical support to frontline responders.

The report further confirmed that two Ebola cases linked to travel from the DRC have already been detected in Uganda, including one fatality. Two American nationals were also transferred to Europe for treatment and monitoring.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the worsening humanitarian crisis and ongoing violence in eastern Congo continue to complicate containment efforts.

“Across both provinces, around four million people need urgent humanitarian assistance, two million are displaced, and ten million face acute hunger,” Tedros said.

The UN and its partners are also accelerating work on experimental vaccines and treatments targeting the Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or therapeutic currently exists.

Aid agencies additionally warned that misinformation and distrust among affected communities could undermine containment efforts, with some residents reportedly believing that Ebola is fabricated.

UN Women also raised concerns that women and girls could face disproportionate risks during the outbreak due to caregiving responsibilities, frontline health work, and burial practices.

The United Nations stressed that restoring trust within affected communities remains critical to preventing wider transmission and containing the outbreak.

Source: United Nations (UN)