BUNIA, Democratic Republic of Congo — World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in eastern Congo on Saturday as health officials worked to contain a rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak that has spread across several provinces and into neighboring Uganda, according to the WHO and Congolese authorities.
Tedros traveled to Bunia, the capital of Ituri province and the center of the outbreak, where he met local officials, health workers and affected families. The visit comes as medical teams face shortages of equipment, security concerns and resistance from some communities in areas affected by armed conflict.
“To come here is to really show to the community that they’re not alone,” Tedros told reporters after arriving in Congo, according to the WHO and media reports. He said international agencies and local communities would need to work together to slow transmission of the disease.
The WHO said the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rarer form of the virus for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. Health officials have warned that the outbreak is spreading faster than response efforts despite the arrival of additional medical supplies and international support.
Congolese Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said on Friday that suspected cases had risen to more than 1,000, including more than 200 confirmed infections. Authorities said the number of suspected deaths had also increased, although officials cautioned that many cases remain under investigation.
The WHO reported earlier that more than 900 suspected cases and over 200 suspected deaths had been recorded in Congo, while neighboring Uganda confirmed several infections and at least one death linked to cross-border transmission. Health officials said the figures could change as laboratory testing continues.
Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, described the outbreak as one of the fastest-growing Ebola emergencies recorded since the virus was first identified in 1976. The organization said treatment capacity, contact tracing and logistical support remain insufficient in several affected areas.
Efforts to contain the disease have been complicated by population displacement, insecurity and mistrust of health authorities. WHO officials said attacks on health facilities and resistance to some containment measures, including safe burial procedures, have hindered response operations in parts of eastern Congo.
During his visit, Tedros urged governments to avoid broad travel restrictions, arguing that such measures could discourage reporting and cooperation. He said the focus should remain on supporting containment efforts at the source of the outbreak.
As of Saturday, WHO officials said emergency operations remained underway in Congo and Uganda, while international agencies continued to deploy personnel, medical supplies and funding. Health authorities said the outbreak remained active and that containment efforts were continuing.
