Published on: 2026-07-21
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 21, 2026 Healthcare
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the Ebola fever outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread rapidly, however, specialists are beginning to better understand the characteristics of the epidemic’s development and are adjusting the response strategy.
According to Tierno Balde, head of WHO’s outbreak response operations, the authorities of the DRC have registered 2,423 confirmed cases of the disease to date. 967 people have died, 469 patients have recovered.
The disease has already affected five provinces of the country, but the main focus remains the Ituri province, which accounts for almost 89 percent of all cases and 84 percent of deaths.
“Despite these figures, we are beginning to better understand the dynamics of this outbreak,” Balde noted. According to him, the epidemic is developing differently in various regions of the country: in some places there is extremely intense transmission of the infection, in others the situation remains relatively stable, and some areas are only just beginning to face the spread of the virus.
New strategy
That is precisely why WHO, together with the Ministry of Health of the DR Congo, is revising the approach to combating the disease. Instead of a single strategy, experts are developing measures that take into account the specifics of each region.
“We have identified three main models of outbreak development: areas with very high transmission intensity, new foci, and territories showing signs of stabilization,” said the WHO representative.
At the same time, he emphasized that the epidemic is still evolving faster than the response measures can be deployed. “Let’s be frank: the outbreak is still ahead of us, and we continue to play catch-up,” Balde said.
In the most affected areas, WHO prioritizes organizing safe and dignified burials for the deceased, establishing an effective system for directing patients to specialized medical facilities, and expanding treatment capabilities for the sick.
Prevention of infection spread
Special attention is paid to preventing the spread of infection in new regions. Ten days ago, representatives of WHO and partner organizations visited the city of Kisangani in the Tshopo province, where a rapid response strategy was developed with the deployment of mobile teams.
The initial results, according to Balde, inspire cautious optimism. “So far, no secondary cases of infection transmission have been identified there. All five recorded cases are imported from Ituri province,” he reported.
WHO intends to extend this approach to other areas where new disease outbreaks are beginning to emerge, including Haut-Uele, Katwa, and Butembo.
Evaluation of work results
On Wednesday, WHO representatives will once again go to Kisangani to assess the results of the work. In addition, the organization is launching a new project to strengthen sanitary control along the Congo River – one of the country’s most important transport routes, through which the infection could spread.
Despite the ongoing difficult situation, experts note some initial positive trends. In the city of Mongbwalu, where the outbreak was first detected, the number of new cases is beginning to stabilize. A similar dynamic is observed in the city of Goma in North Kivu province.
In conclusion, Baldé emphasized that success in combating the epidemic is impossible without the trust of the local population.
“All our teams continue to actively work with communities in a spirit of open dialogue and mutual respect, listening to people and taking their opinions into account when planning our actions,” he said, thanking the Ministry of Health of the DRC and all partners involved in the fight against the Ebola outbreak.
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