The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have called for urgent, community-led action to contain the worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In a statement issued on Thursday, the agencies urged stronger early case detection, comprehensive contact tracing, improved access to treatment, support for frontline health workers and faster delivery of essential resources to affected communities nationwide.
The appeal followed a joint high-level mission to Uganda and the DRC on August 4 and 5 to assess ongoing Ebola response efforts and identify operational priorities for strengthened regional collaboration.
The mission was led by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya and WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi, underscoring high-level commitment to coordinated outbreak control.
Delegates visited Kampala, Bunia and Kinshasa, where they met government officials, health workers, community leaders and response partners to evaluate interventions and strengthen collaboration against the rapidly spreading outbreak.
The delegation reviewed the outbreak’s progress, identified critical operational gaps and presented concerns raised by affected communities directly to national authorities to strengthen response measures and improve coordination across health systems.
“Uganda’s successful containment demonstrated that rapid detection, contact tracing and strong community engagement can stop Ebola transmission.
“Uganda declared its outbreak on July 28 after recording 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, with all contacts completing follow-up,” the statement said, highlighting effective containment through coordinated public health measures.
Africa CDC and WHO commended Uganda’s leadership in containing Ebola while urging neighbouring countries to strengthen preparedness and surveillance against potential cross-border transmission risks across the Great Lakes region.
In Bunia, the outbreak’s epicentre, the delegation assessed ongoing response activities and visited the Rwangole Ebola Treatment Centre to evaluate patient care, operational capacity and challenges facing frontline health workers.
Officials said ending the outbreak depended on communities receiving trusted information and participating actively in surveillance, case reporting and response activities, stressing that public confidence was essential to successful containment.
According to the statement, communities were urged to recognise Ebola symptoms early, report suspected cases promptly and seek treatment without fear in order to improve survival rates and reduce further transmission.
The agencies identified religious, traditional, women’s and youth leaders as critical partners for building public trust, countering misinformation and encouraging stronger community participation in surveillance and response initiatives.
The delegation lauded health workers and affected communities for sustaining response efforts despite insecurity, population displacement, misinformation and limited healthcare resources that continued to complicate containment across affected provinces.
“Response teams reported delayed case detection, treatment shortages, resistance to interventions and inadequate frontline support.
“Ituri Province accounts for nearly 90 per cent of confirmed Ebola cases, with Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu among the hardest-hit health zones.
“As of August 4, the DRC recorded 3,973 confirmed Ebola cases, 1,801 deaths and 776 recoveries across 51 health zones.
“Authorities also reported 99 new confirmed cases and 52 deaths within the latest 24-hour reporting period.
“Contact follow-up reached 75 per cent, below the 95 per cent target needed to rapidly interrupt transmission.
“About 674 patients remained under care, while treatment centres in North Kivu operated at 139 per cent capacity,” the statement said.
Africa CDC and WHO called for expanded treatment centres, strengthened laboratory services, increased ambulance capacity and safe, dignified burial operations to improve the emergency response and reduce further transmission.
The agencies also urged timely payment, adequate protection and sufficient equipment for frontline health workers, stressing that safeguarding response personnel remained essential for sustaining effective outbreak control.
“During meetings in Kinshasa, officials emphasised stronger government coordination, sustained financing and improved access to affected communities.
“The agencies reaffirmed support for a nationally coordinated response involving government, partners, health workers and local communities.
“Africa CDC and WHO pledged continued technical support while advising countries to strengthen surveillance instead of imposing unnecessary travel or trade restrictions,” the statement said.
