The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) called for an urgent scale-up of the community-led Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on August 5, 2026. Following a joint high-level mission to Uganda and the DRC, agency leaders stressed the need for stronger early detection, contact follow-up, and resource delivery to combat an outbreak where treatment-center occupancy in North Kivu has reached 139%.
Assessing Lessons from Uganda’s Containment Success
The high-level delegation began its tour in Kampala, engaging with national authorities following Uganda’s declaration that its own outbreak had ended on July 28, 2026, according to Africa CDC and WHO reports. Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, with all previously listed contacts successfully completing follow-up.
Africa CDC and WHO commended Uganda’s leadership and health workers for demonstrating the effectiveness of early detection, rapid contact tracing, and trusted community engagement. However, agency officials emphasized that regional preparedness must be maintained. Because transmission continues in the DRC, neighboring countries remain at risk and must sustain cross-border surveillance and laboratory readiness.
Community-Centric Operations in Bunia, Ituri Province
Following the visit to Kampala, the delegation traveled to Bunia in Ituri Province, which serves as the epicentre of the DRC outbreak. Ituri accounts for nearly 90% of confirmed cases in the country, with Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu health zones hit hardest. During the visit to the Rwangole Ebola Treatment Centre, leaders evaluated local readiness to expand access to timely care.
According to mission findings, stopping the outbreak relies entirely on empowering local communities. Frontline teams face severe barriers, including security challenges, population movement, and resistance to response activities. Officials noted that people must receive clear information from trusted local leaders—including religious, women, and youth figures—to report symptoms early and seek care without fear.
Pro Tip for Responders: To break chains of transmission effectively, engagement strategies must prioritize local realities, ensuring communities are directly involved in surveillance, referrals, and safe burials, as outlined by Africa CDC and WHO.
Mounting Operational Pressures and Response Gaps in the DRC
As of August 4, 2026, the DRC reported 3,973 confirmed cases, 1,801 deaths, and 776 recoveries across 51 health zones in five provinces. During the most recent 24-hour reporting period alone, the country logged 99 new confirmed cases and 52 deaths.
Critical metrics highlight the strain on the ground. Contact follow-up stood at just 75%, falling short of the 95% operational target required to rapidly identify transmission chains. Meanwhile, 674 people remained under care, and treatment-center occupancy in North Kivu surged to 139%, placing immense pressure on beds, health workers, and supplies.
To reverse these trends, Africa CDC and WHO called for immediate action:
- Raise daily contact follow-up to at least 95% to identify cases earlier.
- Bring testing, referral, isolation, and treatment services closer to affected communities.
- Expand treatment, laboratory, ambulance, and safe burial capacity urgently.
- Protect, equip, and pay frontline health workers on time.
- Strengthen infection prevention and control in all health facilities.
- Improve secure access to areas affected by insecurity and poor infrastructure.
High-Level Discussions with National Leadership in Kinshasa
The mission concluded in Kinshasa with meetings involving the President of the Republic and government members. Led by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya, and WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Mohamed Janabi, the delegation reviewed operational gaps and secured commitments for stronger coordination.
“In some areas of eastern DRC, the Ebola outbreak is outpacing our response, making it imperative that we rapidly scale up every aspect of our efforts to contain it,” Dr. Tedros stated. Dr. Kaseya reinforced this sentiment, noting that bringing the response closer to communities and giving frontline teams proper support will break transmission chains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the recent joint call to scale up the Ebola response?
The call followed a joint high-level mission by Africa CDC and WHO to Uganda and the DRC on August 4 and 5, 2026, which revealed severe operational gaps and high treatment-center occupancy in North Kivu.
How many cases and deaths has the DRC reported in this outbreak?
As of August 4, 2026, the DRC recorded 3,973 confirmed cases and 1,801 deaths across 51 health zones, according to joint figures from Africa CDC and WHO.
Are travel and trade restrictions recommended for the DRC or neighboring regions?
No. Africa CDC and WHO continue to advise against unnecessary restrictions on travel or trade, urging countries instead to strengthen surveillance and cross-border coordination.
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