DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Now at Highest Risk Level, WHO Warns
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alarm over the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), upgrading its risk assessment to the highest level as infections and deaths continue to increase.
Health officials say there are currently 82 confirmed cases and seven confirmed deaths, while suspected infections have risen to nearly 750, alongside 177 suspected fatalities linked to the outbreak.
The WHO noted that the outbreak, believed to have been spreading silently for some time, is associated with the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment is currently available.
The global health body described the situation as deeply concerning, warning that response efforts are being strained as medical teams struggle to trace contacts and contain transmission in remote and insecure areas.
Experts also cautioned that the actual number of infections may be higher than reported, as surveillance systems continue to detect new cases.
While limited cases have been recorded in neighbouring Uganda without wider spread, the WHO stressed that the situation in DR Congo remains critical and requires urgent and sustained intervention to prevent further escalation.
