WHO Chief Raises Alarm Over Slow Ebola Response in DR Congo Amid Ongoing Outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is still outpacing response efforts, even as improvements in testing and diagnostics begin to show progress in identifying cases more quickly.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak “had a big head start,” adding that health teams are now “catching up” but remain behind in key areas of containment, particularly contact tracing and access to affected communities.

The outbreak, which began in eastern Congo in May 2026, has so far recorded hundreds of confirmed cases and dozens of deaths, with neighboring Uganda also reporting infections linked to cross-border spread. Health authorities say the situation is complicated by insecurity, displacement, and ongoing attacks in some affected regions.

While laboratory capacity has improved and more suspected cases are being ruled out through testing, officials say major gaps remain in tracking people who have been exposed to the virus. WHO estimates that only about 45% of contacts are being followed up, far below the level needed to fully control transmission.

Tedros emphasized that despite progress, the response is not yet sufficient to stay ahead of the outbreak. “We are catching up,” he said, while stressing that faster tracing, stronger coordination, and better access to insecure areas are critical to stopping the spread.

Health experts also note that misinformation, community resistance, and ongoing armed conflict in parts of eastern Congo continue to slow down response teams and complicate containment efforts.