Confirmed Ebola cases nearly double in days as WHO chief visits DR Congo

May 30, 2026 - 20:14

The World Health Organization's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday as the number of confirmed Ebola cases nearly doubled in a matter of days. The outbreak, driven by a rare strain of the virus, is spreading rapidly through the conflict-ravaged eastern region of the country.

During his visit, Tedros called for a community-led response to contain the disease. He stressed that local engagement is critical in areas where mistrust of health workers runs high and armed groups control large swaths of territory. The current outbreak involves the Sudan ebolavirus, for which no licensed vaccine exists, complicating containment efforts.

Health officials reported that confirmed cases have surged from a handful to over a dozen in less than a week. The epicenter is in a remote part of North Kivu province, where ongoing violence has hampered contact tracing and safe burials. Tedros met with provincial leaders and frontline workers to assess the situation, urging international donors to release funds quickly.

The WHO has deployed emergency teams, but access remains a challenge. Tedros emphasized that without a vaccine, the only tools are rapid detection, isolation, and community cooperation. He warned that the window to contain the outbreak is narrowing as the virus moves into densely populated displacement camps.