WHO Chief Rushes to Congo as Rare, Vaccine-Less Ebola Strain Spirals Into Third-Largest Outbreak
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus travels to the Democratic Republic of Congo as an Ebola outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain—which has no approved vaccine or treatment—surges past 1,000 suspected cases and 246 suspected deaths, prompting international emergency measures.
Outbreak overview
An Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has already become the third largest on record, with 1,077 suspected cases, 121 confirmed infections, and 246 suspected deaths reported by the WHO, though health experts believe the real toll is far higher. The rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no vaccine or approved treatment, was first detected in late April and has spread across Ituri province and into Uganda, where seven cases have been confirmed. The Africa CDC warns that at the current pace of infections, this could become the second largest Ebola outbreak in history, though it “is not out of control,” according to Director-General Jean Kaseya.
- Suspected first case: a nurse dies in Rwampara health zone, Ituri province
- First report of high-mortality illness in Mongbwalu health zone reaches WHO
- WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
- WHO Director-General Tedros arrives in DRC; Uganda closes border; U.S. travel ban announced
International response kicks into gear
The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern around mid‑May, and Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus flew to Kinshasa on 28 May to oversee operations. In an open letter to Congolese people, he wrote: “You are not alone.” The UK has pledged £21 million—just 5% of the £427 million it contributed to the 2014‑15 West Africa outbreak—as aid budgets are slashed. The United States has temporarily banned entry for green card holders who have been in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan, while Uganda shut its border with DRC for at least four weeks.
On‑the‑ground challenges mount
Response efforts are weeks behind schedule and hampered by “a catastrophic collision of disease and conflict,” as Tedros described it. The region is destabilised by active fighting involving Rwanda‑backed M23 rebels, mass displacement, and deep mistrust of aid workers, leading to attacks on health facilities. Three humanitarian officials told Reuters that flight restrictions in and out of Bunia, capital of Ituri province, were not being lifted despite government pledges. Traditional funeral practices also raise fears of further transmission, making contact tracing and isolation critical.
Acting early boldly saves lives. Ebola does not respect borders. When the international response is underfunded, you lose the ability to trace contacts, treat the sick and protect frontline health workers. The virus exploits every gap we leave behind.
Racing to detect and contain
Lab teams at the National Institute for Biomedical Research in DRC are working around the clock to diagnose suspected samples on the same day. Every confirmed case triggers identification and monitoring of contacts, with samples taken at the first sign of symptoms. But without a vaccine or treatment, stopping the virus “depends entirely on humanitarian access,” Tedros stressed. He has called for an immediate ceasefire—“even if brief, even if only long enough to allow health workers through”—to let responders reach those in need.
