The Democratic Republic of the Congo is intensifying efforts to contain a fast-evolving Ebola outbreak in the eastern province of Ituri by opening three new treatment centres, health authorities have announced.
The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments.
The move comes days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, citing concerns over underreporting, potential cross-border transmission into Uganda, and growing pressure on local health systems.
Boost for isolation and treatment capacity
Congolese Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba announced plans to establish dedicated Ebola treatment centres in key affected areas of Ituri during a visit to Bunia, the provincial capital. The facilities are expected to boost isolation and treatment capacity as hospitals struggle to cope with rising suspected cases.
“We know that the hospitals are already under stress because of the patients,” Kamba said. “But we are preparing to establish treatment centres at all three sites to expand our capabilities.”
As of Tuesday, authorities had confirmed 131 Ebola-related deaths and recorded at least 513 suspected infections. Community deaths and infections among health workers have raised further alarm.
No vaccine for Bundibugyo strain
The Bundibugyo Ebola strain is less common than the Zaire variant and lacks the vaccines and therapeutics developed for previous outbreaks.
The WHO has deployed experts and emergency supplies to support the Congolese response, while the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is coordinating regional efforts. Authorities are intensifying contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention measures despite insecurity and weak infrastructure in eastern DRC.
Cases linked to the outbreak have been reported across several health zones in Ituri, with suspected transmission into Uganda. Reports also indicate that an American doctor working in the region is among those infected.
This is the DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak since 1976. The country successfully contained another outbreak in late 2025.
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is opening three new Ebola treatment centres in Ituri province to enhance isolation and treatment amid a growing outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain.
- The Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccines or specific treatments, complicating containment efforts.
- The WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to underreporting, cross-border risks to Uganda, and pressure on local health systems.
- As of the latest count, there have been 131 confirmed deaths and 513 suspected infections, including cases among health workers and an American doctor in the region.
- Regional and international agencies like WHO and Africa CDC are supporting the response with experts, supplies, and measures such as intensified contact tracing and surveillance, despite challenges from insecurity and infrastructure limitations.
“We know that the hospitals are already under stress because of the patients,”
As of Tuesday, authorities had confirmed 131 Ebola-related deaths and recorded at least 513 suspected infections. Community deaths and infections among health workers have raised further alarm.
Cases linked to the outbreak have been reported across several health zones in Ituri, with suspected transmission into
