Published on: 2026-07-08
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 7, 2026 Healthcare
Ebola fever caused by the Bundibugyo virus continues to spread in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the true scale of the outbreak still unknown. This was warned on Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“We would like to say that the situation is stabilizing, but frankly, we cannot assert that yet,” said WHO representative in the DRC, Ann Ancia.
Speaking via video link from the city of Bunia, the administrative center of Ituri province, which has become the epicenter of the outbreak, she reported that as of July 4, the country’s authorities had registered 1,561 confirmed cases, including 506 deaths. Another 254 people have recovered. More than 10,000 people who had contact with the infected are under observation.
The true scale of the outbreak is still unknown
According to the WHO representative, specialists continue to establish chains of infection transmission in order to promptly identify all those who have been in contact with the virus and isolate them. At the same time, the medical system is experiencing a serious strain – Ebola treatment centers are overcrowded.
Ancia visited medical facilities in Bunia, Beni, Butembo, and Katwa, where she met with healthcare workers involved in treating patients, contact tracing, and informing the population.
“I saw with my own eyes the dedication of the employees who continue to help their communities despite enormous difficulties,” she noted.
There are not enough ambulances
The outbreak was officially declared on May 15. It is developing in areas where armed conflicts continue, mass displacement of the population is observed, and resources are extremely limited.
“Right now, we do not have enough ambulances,” added the WHO representative.
Despite the difficult situation, the organization notes positive changes.
If at the beginning of the outbreak the laboratories in Kinshasa could conduct only 30 tests per day, now, thanks to the opening of 10 laboratories in the affected regions, more than 2,000 tests are performed daily.
Clinical trials of drugs have begun
Another important step was the start of clinical trials for potential treatments on July 2. Currently, there is no registered drug against the Bundibugyo species of the ebolavirus.
During the study, specialists will evaluate the effectiveness of two promising drugs – the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral agent remdesivir.
“These drugs will be used individually or in combination to assess their ability to improve patient survival,” Dr. Ansia said.
More than 1,200 doses of medications have already been prepared for treatment, and as new scientific data emerges, other potential therapeutic methods may be included in the study.
The conflict complicates the fight against the virus
The security situation in the east of the DRC remains extremely unstable. In the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, clashes continue between government forces and armed groups.
In the North Kivu regions under the control of the de facto authorities, WHO is strengthening epidemiological surveillance.
“We receive a large number of reports about suspicious cases every day and check each one,” Ansia said.
Responding to journalists’ questions about the statements of the M23 group regarding the eradication of Ebola in the territory under its control, the WHO representative reported that, according to available information, there are currently indeed no confirmed cases of the disease in these areas, and all those who had contact with the infected have completed the observation period. At the same time, specialists continue to closely monitor the situation.
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