On Wednesday, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) cautioned that the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a “catastrophic intersection of disease and conflict,” as a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak complicates containment efforts in an area already suffering from armed violence, mass displacement, and severe hunger.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that the Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak in Ituri province is worsening in a context where insecurity, assaults on health facilities, and population displacements make it “nearly impossible” to track contacts or isolate cases.
“Community trust cannot be built, nor can the sick be isolated while bombs are falling,” he stated.
The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, first detected in Uganda in 2007, currently lacks any approved vaccine or treatment.
According to health agencies and partners, DRC has reported nearly 1,000 suspected Ebola cases and over 220 suspected fatalities, although only one of these deaths has been confirmed by a lab. In neighboring Uganda, health officials noted seven confirmed cases tied to the outbreak, which include two healthcare workers and one confirmed death.
Outbreak Progressing Rapidly
The WHO has indicated that the outbreak is geographically expanding, with signs of ongoing cross-border transmission.
Originating in Ituri province, the outbreak has extended across 11 health zones, with additional cases reported in North Kivu, including in Butembo and Goma, as well as in South Kivu, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Health experts note that the virus is spreading through family clusters and health facilities, with infections linked to caregiving, family gatherings, and unsafe funeral practices.
Conflict Hinders Response Efforts
Containment efforts are taking place in one of eastern DRC’s most unstable regions, where access for humanitarian aid has been hampered by conflict among multiple armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), CODECO militias, and the Rwanda-supported M23 group.
A December 2025 report from the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO recorded ongoing violence throughout Ituri and North Kivu, featuring assaults on villages, health facilities, and displaced communities that resulted in numerous civilian deaths and significant displacements.
Active conflicts and limitations set by armed groups have also obstructed humanitarian efforts, restricted civilian movements, and disrupted access to essential services.
A Crisis of Hunger and Disease
The violence has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation. The latest analysis from IPC, a UN-backed global food security monitor, indicates that nearly 10 million people across Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika are facing acute hunger from January to June 2026.
Nationally, an estimated 26.5 million people in DRC are suffering from high levels of acute food insecurity.
“Hunger and disease are long-time companions,” Tedros remarked. “Individuals weakened by hunger are significantly more susceptible to infections.”
Infrastructure Challenges
According to the WHO, conflict, inadequate infrastructure, and insecurity are restricting aid flow and access to health services.
“In numerous affected regions, health facilities either do not function or operate under severe constraints due to security issues,” Tedros explained. “Poor road conditions further hinder the movement of goods and humanitarian aid.”
Children are particularly affected—not only through illness but also due to disruptions in health, nutrition, and education services, as warned by UNICEF. The organization added that children impacted by Ebola outbreaks often experience the loss of parents and caregivers, while stigma and fear may lead to their isolation within communities.
Fostering Community Trust
The WHO is leading a comprehensive UN response, deploying emergency personnel, medical supplies, and funding to assist in controlling the outbreak.
The agency collaborates with community leaders in Bunia to foster trust and counteract misinformation. It has created public information messages and awareness materials tailored to local contexts and translated into local languages for greater reach.
“Community trust is essential for a successful public health response,” stated Julienne Ngoundoung Anoko, a WHO Community Engagement Officer placed in Bunia. “Without community involvement, outbreak control efforts are unlikely to succeed.**”
Appeals for Ceasefire
Tedros has called for an immediate ceasefire to grant humanitarian and medical teams safe passage to affected areas.
“Halting this Ebola spread is entirely dependent on ensuring humanitarian access,” he emphasized.
