The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have called for urgent, community-led action to contain the worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), warning that stronger surveillance and coordinated response efforts are critical to stopping the spread of the disease.
The appeal followed a joint high-level mission to Uganda and the DRC on August 4 and 5, led by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya, and WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Mohamed Janabi.
During the visit, the delegation met with government officials, health workers, community leaders and response partners in Kampala, Bunia and Kinshasa to assess ongoing interventions and strengthen regional collaboration against the outbreak.
The agencies urged intensified early case detection, comprehensive contact tracing, expanded treatment centres, improved laboratory services, stronger frontline health worker support and faster delivery of essential medical supplies to affected communities.
They also emphasised that community participation remains central to ending the outbreak, encouraging residents to recognise Ebola symptoms early, promptly report suspected cases and seek medical treatment without delay.
Africa CDC and WHO highlighted the vital role of religious, traditional, women’s and youth leaders in building public trust, countering misinformation and encouraging active community engagement in disease surveillance and response efforts.
While commending Uganda for successfully containing its recent Ebola outbreak through rapid detection, effective contact tracing and strong community mobilisation, the agencies urged neighbouring countries to strengthen preparedness against possible cross-border transmission.
According to the latest situation report, the DRC has recorded 3,973 confirmed Ebola cases, 1,801 deaths and 776 recoveries across 51 health zones as of August 4, 2026.
Health authorities also reported 99 new confirmed cases and 52 deaths within a 24-hour period, while 674 patientsremain under treatment.
The agencies noted that Ituri Province accounts for nearly 90 per cent of confirmed cases, with Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu among the hardest-hit health zones.
They expressed concern that contact tracing coverage currently stands at 75 per cent, well below the 95 per cent target required to interrupt transmission effectively. Treatment centres in North Kivu are also operating at 139 per cent capacity, underscoring the urgent need for expanded healthcare facilities.
Africa CDC and WHO further called for timely payment, adequate protection and sufficient equipment for frontline health workers, stressing that safeguarding response personnel is essential to sustaining Ebola control efforts.
The organisations reaffirmed their commitment to supporting a nationally coordinated response involving government, health workers, development partners and local communities, while advising countries to strengthen surveillance instead of imposing unnecessary travel or trade restrictions.
#Ebola #DRC #AfricaCDC #WHO #PublicHealth #DiseaseOutbreak #GlobalHealth #HealthSecurity #Africa #EmergencyResponse
