By Ayomide Otitoju
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the risk level of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to “very high” at the national level, as the epidemic continues to spread and the death toll rises.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the situation as “deeply worrisome,” noting that nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths have been recorded in the country, alongside 82 confirmed infections and seven confirmed fatalities.
The global health body said it has revised its risk assessment, maintaining a high regional risk and low global risk, while warning that the outbreak is spreading rapidly in affected areas of the DRC.
Tedros said health workers are intensifying contact tracing efforts, with international support teams deployed to assist national responders amid worsening insecurity and logistical challenges.
He added that while Uganda has recorded two confirmed cases linked to travel from the DRC, containment measures, including intensive contact tracing, have so far helped prevent further spread.
The WHO also confirmed that a US national working in the DRC tested positive and was transferred to Germany for treatment, while another high-risk contact was evacuated to the Czech Republic.
WHO officials said violence and insecurity in parts of eastern DRC are hampering response operations, even as more than 20 international experts have been deployed to the field.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments, according to the WHO.
Chief scientist Dr. Sylvie Briand said the agency is reviewing potential tools, including monoclonal antibodies and antiviral candidates, for possible clinical trials as part of emergency response efforts.
Meanwhile, tensions have risen in some affected communities, with reports of protests and attacks on medical facilities, including the burning of treatment tents at a hospital in Ituri province.
Residents in affected areas have expressed fear and mistrust over burial protocols and infection control measures, while health workers continue to enforce strict protective procedures to limit transmission.
The WHO said it is working with partners to strengthen surveillance, treatment, and preparedness measures as the outbreak continues to evolve.
