Nisha Pandey

Ebola In DRC Is Still In ‘Expansion Phase’: WHO Doctor Opens About Major Challenges In Containing The Outbreak

Ebola in DRC Is Still In ‘Expansion Phase’: WHO Doctor Opens About The Challenges In Containing The Outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently in the middle of one of the worst outbreaks in the history of Ebola. On Tuesday, a <span>World Health Organization</span> (WHO) official spoke about the challenges that are making it harder for the authorities to contain the outbreak.

<h2>WHO Doctor On Challenges In Containing <span rel="noindex">DRC</span> <span rel="noindex">Ebola Outbreak</span></h2>

Since the outbreak and as of July 4, Congo ⁠has ⁠confirmed 1,561 cases, including 506 deaths, in the worst-ever outbreak of the rare <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-deaths-in-drc-top-500-with-at-least-1528-cases-reported-what-makes-this-outbreak-different-deadlier-article-154948655" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bundibugyo species of Ebola</a> for which there is no proven treatment or cure yet. Currently, more than 10,000 contacts are being monitored.

Dr Anne Ancia, WHO’s representative to the DRC, said, “It is still in the expansion phase, unfortunately. The outbreak’s true scale has not yet been fully established. We would like to say it is stabilizing, but frankly, we cannot say it yet.”

Speaking from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, which is at the heart of the outbreak, she added that WHO is strengthening its understanding of the history of every case of infection “so that we can really understand the chain of transmission and isolate every contact case.”

<h3>Overwhelmed Treatment Facilities</h3>

Pointing to the challenges in containing the outbreak, the WHO representative said that <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/congo-starts-ebola-treatment-trial-as-cases-reach-1427-deaths-hit-440-article-154917904" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola treatment</a> centres are “at saturation point”. One of the main administrative difficulties that health officials are facing is high occupancy levels, with some around 90%.

She said, “I visited treatment centres in and around Bunia, Beni, Butembo, Katwa, and I met frontline workers responsible for patient care, contact tracing, investigating alerts and sensitising and mobilising communities.”

She also praised the frontline healthcare workers: “I witnessed firsthand the dedication of staff who continue to serve their communities despite enormous challenges."

Dr Ancia added, “Today, we do not have enough ambulances, warning that all the needs in Ituri province cannot be met.

Read more: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uganda-says-ebola-is-contained-after-nearly-two-months-of-outbreak-seeks-to-get-travel-restrictions-removed-article-154973311" data-type="tilCustomLink">Uganda Says Ebola Is Contained After Nearly Two Months Of Outbreak; Seeks To Get Travel Restrictions Removed</a>

The WHO official also spoke about the high risk of transmission due to population movement. She said that the workers in the mining town of Mongwbalu are not seeking medical assistance locally, but are travelling to other regions, increasing the risk of transmission in new areas.

Dr Ancia said, “Population movements, persistent insecurity and the fragility of the health system continue to complicate efforts to bring the outbreak under control.”

While updates about new cases of Ebola have not surfaced, misinformation about the disease has been rife in several Congolese communities.

According to the <em>Council on Foreign Relations</em>, there have been reports that some local communities believe that the disease is a hoax or was brought into the country by Western aid workers who wanted to make a profit.

<h2>What Makes This Ebola Outbreak Deadlier?</h2>

Ebola 101: The Key Facts Behind The Deadly Virus #shorts #shortsfeed

While Ebola is not a new disease, the current outbreak poses a significant threat because it is caused by a rare strain of the virus, <span>Bundibugyo</span>. Unlike previous outbreaks dominated by the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-scare-in-uk-suspected-patient-at-glasgow-hospital-tests-negative-article-154816804" data-type="tilCustomLink">Zaire strain of Ebola</a>, the current epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is an uncommon species of the Ebola virus family.

The rarity of the strain has created scientific and emergency public health challenges, as there is currently no licensed vaccine to protect against the <span>Bundibugyo Ebola</span> virus.

When Ebola from Zaire strain broke out, vaccination became an important part of outbreak control. Hence, in the current epidemic, public health officials are being forced to rely heavily on rapid diagnosis, infection prevention, surveillance, and existing medical care.

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The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently in the middle of one of the worst outbreaks in the history of Ebola. On Tuesday, a World Health Organization (WHO) official spoke about the challenges that are making it harder for the authorities to contain the outbreak. WHO Doctor On Challenges In Containing DRC Ebola Outbreak            The outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the DR Congo continues to expand. UN health agency @WHO warns that treatment centres in Ituri Province are at capacity and not all needs are being met.https://t.co/bmdtdhvEq5 pic.twitter.com/XOJkjmNPwY&mdash; UN News (@UN_News_Centre) July 7, 2026 ]]>Since the outbreak and as of July 4, Congo ⁠has ⁠confirmed 1,561 cases, including 506 deaths, in the worst-ever outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola for which there is no proven treatment or cure yet. Currently, more than 10,000 contacts are being monitored. Dr Anne Ancia, WHO’s representative to the DRC, said, “It is still in the expansion phase, unfortunately. The outbreak’s true scale has not yet been fully established. We would like to say it is stabilizing, but frankly, we cannot say it yet.” Speaking from Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, which is at the heart of the outbreak, she added that WHO is strengthening its understanding of the history of every case of infection “so that we can really understand the chain of transmission and isolate every contact case.” Overwhelmed Treatment Facilities Pointing to the challenges in containing the outbreak, the WHO representative said that Ebola treatment centres are “at saturation point”. One of the main administrative difficulties that health officials are facing is high occupancy levels, with some around 90%. She said, “I visited treatment centres in and around Bunia, Beni, Butembo, Katwa, and I met frontline workers responsible for patient care, contact tracing, investigating alerts and sensitising and mobilising communities.” She also praised the frontline healthcare workers: “I witnessed firsthand the dedication of staff who continue to serve their communities despite enormous challenges." Dr Ancia added, “Today, we do not have enough ambulances, warning that all the needs in Ituri province cannot be met.Read more: Uganda Says Ebola Is Contained After Nearly Two Months Of Outbreak; Seeks To Get Travel Restrictions Removed Population Movement The WHO official also spoke about the high risk of transmission due to population movement. She said that the workers in the mining town of Mongwbalu are not seeking medical assistance locally, but are travelling to other regions, increasing the risk of transmission in new areas. Dr Ancia said, “Population movements, persistent insecurity and the fragility of the health system continue to complicate efforts to bring the outbreak under control.” Misinformation While updates about new cases of Ebola have not surfaced, misinformation about the disease has been rife in several Congolese communities. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, there have been reports that some local communities believe that the disease is a hoax or was brought into the country by Western aid workers who wanted to make a profit. What Makes This Ebola Outbreak Deadlier?                   While Ebola is not a new disease, the current outbreak poses a significant threat because it is caused by a rare strain of the virus, Bundibugyo. Unlike previous outbreaks dominated by the Zaire strain of Ebola, the current epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is an uncommon species of the Ebola virus family. The rarity of the strain has created scientific and emergency public health challenges, as there is currently no licensed vaccine to protect against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. When Ebola from Zaire strain broke out, vaccination became an important part of outbreak control. Hence, in the current epidemic, public health officials are being forced to rely heavily on rapid diagnosis, infection prevention, surveillance, and existing medical care.