Congo-Kinshasa: The Deadly Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Can Be Stopped

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a 17th Ebola outbreak has been declared, this time caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and the Africa CDC has declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. As of 21 August 2026, the outbreak has resulted in 5,290 confirmed cases and 2,516 deaths across 56 health zones, making it the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded.

The crisis is exacerbated by insecurity stemming from decades of armed conflict, which has displaced over a million people and weakened law and order. Community involvement is crucial to stopping the spread of Ebola, as locals possess the knowledge required to identify early illness, alert health teams, counter false rumors, and facilitate family access to treatment and dignified burials.

Health workers, laboratory teams, contact tracers, community health workers, and burial teams are working tirelessly under immense pressure, often in unsafe and remote areas. They require safety, protective equipment, training, sufficient medical supplies, timely payments, psychosocial support, and rapid diagnosis along with high-quality supportive care.

Progress has been made in the response, including expanded surveillance, laboratory deployment, support for treatment centers, infection prevention, and essential supplies delivery. Uganda has managed to interrupt locally acquired transmission, as have several health zones in northern Ituri province and South Kivu. However, more action is urgently needed to scale up the response by two to three times current capacities, focusing on safety, infrastructure, funding, and cross-border coordination.