- WHO has issued a warning that the risks posed by a rare Ebola strain are still 'very high', with ongoing transmission and expansion of the outbreak into new health zones, increasing the potential for further national and regional spread.
- The death toll from the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to at least 930, with the virus spreading faster than in any previous outbreak.
- The number of confirmed cases in the DRC has reached at least 2,344, with 37 deaths recorded in just 24 hours, marking one of the highest daily increases since the outbreak was declared.
- The DRC's 17th Ebola outbreak was first detected after several deaths in Ituri, a province affected by armed groups, and cases have been found in five provinces and in neighbouring Uganda.
- WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the current outbreak has expanded faster than any previous outbreak, reaching 2,000 confirmed cases in just two months.
- The outbreak is exacerbated by a complex humanitarian and conflict-affected environment, with many displaced populations lacking access to basic services.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as 'very high risk', with the death toll now at at least 930 and confirmed cases reaching 2,344.3456
WHO officials attribute the rapid spread to a complex humanitarian crisis, stating, "The outbreak continues in a complex humanitarian and conflict-affected environment, characterized by highly mobile and often displaced populations, many of whom have limited access to basic services, including food, clean water, shelter, health care and protection."10
The DRC's 17th Ebola outbreak, first detected in Ituri province, is now the third-largest on record. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the current outbreak is spreading faster than any previous one, with the number of confirmed cases doubling in just two months compared to previous outbreaks that took over ten months to reach similar numbers.789
The health ministry reported a staggering 37 deaths in just 24 hours, marking one of the highest daily increases since the outbreak began on May 15. Tedros emphasized that over 80 percent of new cases are being detected outside known contact lists, indicating that transmission chains are still being missed. The situation is exacerbated by conflict in the region, which hampers healthcare access and response efforts.
As the outbreak continues to escalate, the WHO is intensifying response efforts, with 724 patients currently in isolation and 22 new recoveries reported in the last 24 hours.
“The WHO warns that conflict in the region is fueling transmission, with 2,344 confirmed cases and 37 deaths recorded in a single day. Health workers in Ituri have blocked access to Bunia General Hospital, complicating efforts to contain the outbreak.”
Daily Star
