World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he is deeply concerned about the size and pace of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to him, at least 500 suspected cases and 130 suspected deaths have been recorded since the new outbreak began.
Speaking before an emergency session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Dr. Tedros said 30 cases have been confirmed in Ituri province in northeastern DRC. Additionally, one death and one confirmed case have been reported in Kampala, Uganda, and a U.S. citizen who tested positive has been transferred to Germany.
“These numbers will change as field operations expand, including increased surveillance, contact tracing, and laboratory testing,” Dr. Tedros said.
Notably, Dr. Tedros declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) early Sunday, before convening the emergency committee. He stressed: “This is the first time a director-general has declared a PHEIC before calling an emergency committee. I do not take this lightly … I am deeply concerned about the size and speed of the outbreak.”
WHO will convene the emergency committee on Tuesday to make recommendations on controlling the outbreak. Dr. Tedros said reports of cases in urban areas, where the virus typically spreads more easily, are also a cause for concern. Infections among healthcare workers highlight the risk of spread in hospitals and clinics, alongside “significant population movement in the region,” driven by both labor needs and conflict.
Ituri province, where most cases have been recorded, is experiencing “severe insecurity.” Dr. Tedros said: “Conflict has increased since late 2025, and fighting has escalated significantly over the past two months, causing civilian casualties. More than 100,000 people have been newly displaced. And during Ebola outbreaks, you know what displacement means.”
The virus driving this outbreak is the Bundibugyo strain, an Ebola virus with no specific vaccine or treatment. Although more than 20 Ebola outbreaks have occurred in the DRC and Uganda, this is only the third time Bundibugyo has been detected. Cases have been confirmed in Bunia, Goma (the rebel-held capital of North Kivu), plus Mongbwalu, Butembo, and Nyakunde.
