WHO aims to contain Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within three months

Wednesday 19 August 2026 - 10:10

By: Azzat Manal

WHO aims to contain Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within three months

The World Health Organization (WHO) is aiming to bring the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under control within three months, provided that sufficient resources are made available to support containment efforts.

WHO coordinator Thierno Balde said during a briefing in Geneva that the organization believes its three-month response plan can be implemented if the necessary funding, personnel and logistical resources are secured.

However, health officials continue to face significant challenges, as the virus is reportedly spreading faster than containment measures can be deployed. Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have also confirmed that the outbreak has reached a sixth province, raising concerns about further transmission.

According to figures released by the country's National Institute of Public Health, the outbreak has become the deadliest Ebola epidemic recorded in the country's history. The latest reported figures indicate that 4,945 people have been diagnosed with the virus, while 2,325 deaths have been recorded.

The scale of the outbreak has increased pressure on health authorities and international organizations to strengthen surveillance, case detection, treatment and infection-prevention measures. Rapid identification of suspected cases and effective monitoring of people who may have been exposed remain essential to limiting transmission.

The WHO has also expressed concern about the potential regional consequences of the outbreak. The organization previously assessed the risk of Ebola spreading within the region as high, particularly given the movement of people across borders and the presence of cases in neighboring countries.

Containing the outbreak within the next three months will therefore depend not only on medical interventions but also on sustained international support and close coordination between national health authorities, local communities and international health agencies.

While the WHO's target reflects confidence in the effectiveness of established Ebola response measures, the continuing spread of the virus highlights the urgency of securing adequate resources and expanding response operations before transmission becomes more difficult to control.