Ebola outbreak widens across DR Congo as responders seek more support

The deadly Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to spread across the country despite some containment successes, aid officials said on Tuesday, renewing calls for international support for responders on the ground, according to UN News. Julien Harneis, UN Special Ebola Coordinator, warned that without adequate resources, the epidemic will return. The virus has now reached seven provinces spanning two time zones. UN agencies and partners have been assisting national authorities since the emergency was declared in mid-May. The response faces mounting challenges from insecurity, poor infrastructure, and funding gaps.

The outbreak has been identified as the Ebola Bundibugyo virus, with UN agencies working alongside Congolese authorities to contain it. Affected areas are rich in natural resources but have endured decades of violent insecurity and development setbacks. Roads in many regions are impassable, with trucks sinking into mud. Access by small aircraft is also complicated in several zones. Response teams have additionally faced violence in the field.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the latest data from 12 September indicates 7,200 reported cases and close to 3,500 deaths across 62 health zones. Dr. Olivier le Polain, Unit Head for Epidemiology and Analytics for Response at WHO, said the virus now covers “a very vast geographic area.” Cases have been confirmed from Bunia in Ituri to Sud-Ubangi at the opposite end of the country. Harneis compared that span to “a distance from Geneva to Dublin.” The $1.3 billion humanitarian response remains only 49 percent funded.

Harneis warned that Ebola is worsening conditions for all Congolese, from rising hunger levels to falling health center attendance, increased maternal mortality, and interrupted treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. “If you don’t provide the care, if you don’t finance the care, if you don’t provide the technical resources, then Ebola is a live enemy and will come back at us,” he said. He noted that another $1 billion will be required to sustain the response beyond the first six months. Bed capacity has been scaled up, but more specialized medical care is needed. Some Member States have indicated readiness to deploy international emergency medical teams.

Dr. le Polain said the outbreak will take “many, many months to get this outbreak under control fully.” Infections are declining in some areas but rising exponentially in others. In parts of North Kivu, weekly cases have doubled from about 100 to 200. WHO officials expressed particular concern about Butembo and Katwa, a major axis in the northern part of North Kivu. Responders continue to press for greater dedication of international resources.