WHO Warns Ebola Outbreak In DR Congo Is Expanding Beyond Initial Containment Areas

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Ebola outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is spreading into new areas and is larger in scale than previously detected.

In a statement issued on Friday, the UN health agency said the outbreak continues to expand both in case numbers and geographic spread, raising concerns over containment efforts.

Since the outbreak was declared on May 15, authorities have recorded 676 confirmed Ebola cases and 136 deaths, according to WHO data. An additional 119 suspected cases are under investigation, while 32 patients have recovered.

Health officials also noted that isolation bed capacity remains significantly below the level required to effectively manage the outbreak, given its current rate of spread.

The outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments. It is mainly concentrated in Ituri province, with additional cases reported in North Kivu and South Kivu.

WHO epidemiology and response official Olivier le Polain said new cases are being identified almost daily across different health zones, indicating wider transmission than initially detected.

He attributed the spread to the scale of the outbreak and high population mobility in the region, warning that the situation may be more extensive than current surveillance data currently shows.

Health authorities said contact tracing and response measures are being intensified as efforts continue to contain the virus across affected provinces.