The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised the national risk level of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to “very high”, warning that the situation is worsening amid insecurity and rapid transmission.
Speaking during a briefing on Friday, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the decision followed a sharp rise in cases, ongoing violence, and difficulties in reaching affected communities.
“The risk assessment has been upgraded to very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level,” Dr Tedros said.
Health officials say the outbreak, which involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has already recorded at least 82 confirmed cases and 7 confirmed deaths. Nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths are also under investigation, with numbers expected to rise as surveillance improves.
The outbreak is mainly concentrated in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, where armed conflict and displacement have made it difficult for health workers to operate safely.
Dr Tedros warned that attacks on health facilities and ongoing insecurity were slowing down the response.
“We are dealing with a highly complex situation where insecurity is limiting access to affected communities,” he said.
Neighbouring Uganda has also reported two imported cases and one death, although authorities say the situation there remains under control due to contact tracing and preventive measures.
Internationally, a confirmed case involving an American national in the DRC has been transferred to Germany for treatment, while a high-risk contact was evacuated to the Czech Republic as part of coordinated cross-border health measures.
WHO says the Bundibugyo strain presents additional challenges because there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for it. Unlike the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, this variant has been recorded only twice before.
“This is a rare strain, and we do not yet have licensed vaccines or therapeutics available,” Dr Tedros said.
The organisation has begun coordinating research efforts with global partners, prioritising experimental treatments such as monoclonal antibodies and the antiviral drug obeldesivir for possible clinical trials.
To support the response, WHO says it has deployed international health experts, released $3.9 million from its contingency fund, and is working with the United Nations on a broader $60 million humanitarian response plan.
A joint strategy involving WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and other partners is also being implemented to strengthen treatment centres, contact tracing, and community awareness.
Health officials have warned that the outbreak poses a wider regional threat, particularly for neighbouring countries with high cross-border movement.
The development comes as African health authorities remain on alert, with concerns that insecurity in eastern Congo could further complicate efforts to contain the virus.
