Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo enters second phase after 100 days
The World Health Organization said on Monday the Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached an unprecedented scale after 100 days and requires a stepped-up response.
Source: United Nations News · August 25, 2026 at 11:31 AM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 25 AUGUST 2026 —
Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Enters 100th Day, UN Urges Faster Response
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A hundred days after the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was declared, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN agencies warned on Monday that the epidemic has reached an unprecedented scale, requiring an urgent scaling up of containment efforts in the eastern region and across borders.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for intensified action, stating, “We can bring the Ebola outbreak under control, but only through scaled-up action in affected communities.” He stressed that responses must be led by national and local authorities, supported by adequate resources and strong partnerships.
Since the outbreak began, the response has expanded. The testing network has grown from a single site to 19 laboratories capable of processing over 3,000 samples daily. Treatment capacity has increased from fewer than 10 beds to more than 1,300, while community engagement efforts have reached over 2.5 million people. Contact tracing has improved from 9% in the first week to 84% as of August 18.
Scientific efforts have also accelerated, including clinical trials for potential treatments, evaluations of vaccine candidates, and the deployment of the first molecular diagnostic test for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. Despite these advances, WHO regional director for Africa Dr. Marie Roseline Belizaire noted that current measures remain insufficient to end the epidemic or halt transmission.
Ongoing insecurity, displacement, attacks on health facilities, and difficulties in accessing care continue to hinder the response. The mortality rate remains high, with approximately 60% of the 260 weekly deaths occurring outside Ebola treatment centers over the past six weeks. WHO highlighted the need for more localized interventions, increased missions in high-risk areas, and better preparation before cases emerge.
The epidemic is unfolding amid a broader humanitarian crisis, with communities facing malnutrition and limited access to safe drinking water. Dr. Belizaire underscored the urgency of providing humanitarian aid alongside Ebola response efforts, stating, “People are hungry; they need access to food; they need water.”
While South Sudan currently has no reported Ebola cases, risks persist due to continued population movements between the DRC and South Sudan. UN agencies and partners are conducting prevention efforts, including surveillance, screening at border points, health worker training, medical supply distribution, and public awareness campaigns via radio and social media.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan Ramanathan Balakrishnan called for enhanced protection of humanitarian personnel following the abduction of four aid workers by unidentified armed men in southwestern South Sudan while transporting critical Ebola supplies to the border town of Libogo.
WHO’s regional director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, warned that immediate decisions will determine the speed of controlling the outbreak and saving lives.