Published on: 2026-08-07
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
August 6, 2026 Healthcare
UN humanitarian agencies are on high alert amid reports that 19 internally displaced persons have been infected with the rapidly spreading Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), five of whom have died. This was reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
On Friday, UNHCR confirmed that Ebola infections have been identified in at least five out of 69 camps for displaced persons in Ituri province, further complicating efforts to combat the already dangerous outbreak of the disease.
According to local authorities, since the outbreak was officially declared on May 15, nearly four thousand cases of infection and more than 1,800 deaths have been recorded. The epicenter of the disease’s spread remains the Ituri province.
UNHCR emphasizes that among refugees and asylum seekers, cases of illness have not yet been identified. Otherwise, there would be a threat of the virus spreading beyond the DRC.
As noted by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the unprecedented scale of the epidemic significantly complicates efforts to contain it.
“We all agree that it is necessary to urgently and significantly increase our efforts in all areas of response and with the participation of all partners,” Gebreyesus wrote on the social network X during his visit to the capital of the DRC, Kinshasa.
Increased risks for camps
In the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Upper Uele, and Chopo, where Ebola cases have been confirmed, approximately 4.4 million internally displaced persons currently reside. The regions affected by the outbreak largely coincide with the areas most affected by the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
UNHCR warns that residents of camps for displaced persons often lack access to water supply and sanitation infrastructure, and frequently experience mistrust towards medical services. All of this creates favorable conditions for the further spread of the Ebola virus.
Scaling up anti-epidemic measures
The United Nations, together with humanitarian partners and the authorities of the DRC, continues to scale up epidemiological surveillance, laboratory testing, treatment of patients, and engagement with local communities. The UN peacekeeping forces in the country are also trying to prevent attacks on medical facilities.
In May, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, announced an allocation of 60 million dollars from the Central Emergency Response Fund to combat the Ebola outbreak. At the same time, WHO and its partners continue to establish and support specialized treatment centers for the disease.
As the number of new cases has doubled over the past week in the zones of several epidemic foci, Dr. Tedros called for strengthening anti-epidemic measures. These include enhancing coordination with the country’s government, protecting and supporting healthcare workers, as well as accelerating population access to treatment and safe conduct of funeral rites.
“WHO remains committed to cooperating with the government of the DRC, the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and all partners. Together we will stop this outbreak,” said the head of WHO.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.