Published on: 2026-09-15
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 15, 2026 Healthcare
The Ebola fever outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains intense and continues to spread. So far, approximately 7,200 cases have been recorded across seven provinces, with 3,500 resulting in death.
Representatives of the UN and the World Health Organization (WHO) have called on the international community to intensify support for the DRC in order to bring the epidemic under control.
The outbreak is still widespread
“The outbreak remains deadly and widespread,” stated the UN’s senior coordinator for Ebola response, Julien Harneis. According to him, although progress has been made in some areas, in others the number of cases continues to rise, especially in North Kivu province.
The epidemic has spread across a vast part of the country’s territory. The affected areas are located in two time zones, and the flight between some of them takes more than two and a half hours. The work of specialists is also complicated by the lack of necessary infrastructure and attacks on medical workers.
According to Harneys, most residents of the DRC support the anti-epidemic measures; however, a small group of people, mainly young men, attack medical workers and other participants in the operation.
Taking control of the flash has not been successful so far
At the same time, the epidemiological situation varies significantly across different parts of the country: in North Kivu, the number of cases is rapidly increasing. In Haut-Uélé, near the border with South Sudan, 30 to 40 new cases are also registered weekly. In South Kivu, no new cases have been reported since May, whereas a case was recently registered in South Ubangi.
The head of the epidemiology and operational analytics department at WHO, Olivier le Polain, emphasized that epidemiological surveillance and identification of infected individuals must continue even in areas where no new cases are currently being recorded. Given the scale of the virus spread, establishing control over the situation may take a long time.
The pace must not be slowed down
The authorities of the DRC, humanitarian organizations, and the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are closely coordinating their actions, Harnais reported. The comprehensive approach has already allowed an increase in the number of hospital beds. Cooperation in vaccination and preventive treatment also continues.
At the same time, representatives of the UN and WHO warned that even at the first signs of improvement, measures taken should not be relaxed. “In the fight against Ebola, it is impossible to slow down,” Harneys stated. He called for intensified efforts and for specialists to be provided with all necessary resources.
According to experts, despite initial signs of improvement, the epidemic may gain strength again. It is noted that the number of cases is the highest in the entire history of the DRC.
Lack of funding
One of the main problems remains the lack of funding. Additional funds are needed both to fight Ebola and to carry out a broader humanitarian operation, which is currently funded at only 49 percent.
“What will happen in the future depends on our actions today,” Harneys noted.
UN and WHO officials emphasized that timely funding will help contain the spread of Ebola and avoid significantly more severe humanitarian and economic consequences.
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