Geneva (TDI): The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to convene an emergency committee meeting today as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to worsen, with the death toll now estimated at 131 out of 513 suspected cases, according to the country’s health ministry.
Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said the figures are still provisional, warning that further investigations are needed to confirm whether all suspected deaths are directly linked to Ebola.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he is “deeply concerned” about the rapid spread and severity of the outbreak, which has already extended beyond the DRC into neighbouring Uganda. He confirmed that an official Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) has been declared.
The emergency committee, made up of international experts, will meet to assess the situation and provide recommendations on containment strategies, including potential vaccine use and treatment options.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is particularly concerning because no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists for it. The strain has a fatality rate of up to 50%, raising fears of further escalation.
Read More: WHO Declares Global Health Emergency as Ebola Outbreak Crosses Into Uganda
Health officials say the epicentre of the outbreak is in northeastern Ituri province, near the borders with Uganda and South Sudan, a region with frequent cross-border movement linked to mining and trade, increasing the risk of wider transmission.
The virus has already spread to other provinces and across borders, prompting intensified surveillance and emergency response measures. WHO has begun shipping large quantities of protective equipment and medical supplies to frontline health workers in affected areas.
Experts are also reviewing whether existing Ebola vaccines, such as Merck’s Ervebo (used for the Zaire strain), could offer partial protection, though evidence for effectiveness against the Bundibugyo strain remains limited.
Read More: Uganda extends quarantine at Ebola Outbreak Areas
International response efforts are also expanding, with reports that Germany is preparing to treat an infected US citizen who contracted the virus in the DRC during work-related exposure.
Health authorities and global agencies are now racing to contain the outbreak before it spreads further across Central and East Africa, as concerns grow over limited treatment options and rising case numbers.
