Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), announced that Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have increased to 344 confirmed infections, with 60 deaths recorded so far.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Ghebreyesus said the backlog of suspected Ebola cases had dropped significantly from over 1,000 to 116 as laboratory testing capacity continued to improve across affected areas.
The WHO chief provided this update after returning from the outbreak epicenter in Ituri Province, where he met with political leaders, frontline health responders, and community groups involved in controlling the outbreak.
He stated that WHO’s latest risk assessment remains very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low globally, despite ongoing efforts to contain transmission and strengthen surveillance.
Confirmed cases have been reported across 24 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces, highlighting the scale of the outbreak and the challenges faced by response teams.
“Treatment capacity has expanded, with three centers and 80 beds now open in Bunia, along with units in Mongbwalu, Rwampara, Beni, Goma, and Bukavu.
“Six people have recovered in DRC, and two in Uganda, but contact tracing is still at 45 percent, compared to the 90 percent target needed to control the spread,” he said.
Ghebreyesus noted that the outbreak had crossed international borders, with Uganda recording 15 confirmed cases and one death, including a Congolese resident who traveled through the United Arab Emirates.
He added that a U.S. citizen infected in DRC remains under treatment in Germany, while WHO continues coordinating with Ugandan and UAE authorities on contact tracing and exposure-risk assessments.
The WHO Director-General outlined five major challenges hampering response efforts and stressed the urgent need for stronger surveillance systems, community engagement, and improved operational access in affected regions.
“First, testing delays persist, so WHO is decentralizing labs to Mongbwalu, Beni, Aru, Nyakunde, and Tchomia. Second, only 45 percent of contacts are being followed up in DRC due to insecurity and displacement.
“Third, blanket travel restrictions are disrupting supply chains, despite WHO recommending exit screening instead.
“Fourth, community mistrust remains high, with some leaders still doubting Ebola’s reality. Building trust is now a core priority. Fifth, there are still no approved vaccines or therapeutics,” he said.
He emphasized that WHO has convened its Medical Countermeasures Network to accelerate trials and diagnostics, stressing that leadership, community ownership, and trust are essential to ending the outbreak.
“Our ultimate goal is not just to stop this outbreak. We will.
“DRC has successfully contained 16 previous Ebola outbreaks.
“The real measure is what we do to prevent the 18th and 19th outbreaks—if communities survive Ebola only to die from malaria, malnutrition, or other diseases, we have not truly helped them.
“WHO pledges to stay after the outbreak ends to help build stronger health and humanitarian services under government leadership,” he concluded.
