Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have confirmed over 900 suspected Ebola cases and at least 200 deaths in the DRC, with regional officials warning of a potential regional spread. The outbreak, centered in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the DRC and northern Uganda, has been complicated by the emergence of a rare strain of the virus, which health workers say is less responsive to existing treatments and vaccines.
Local health workers report that testing capacity remains critically limited, with many suspected cases going unconfirmed due to a shortage of diagnostic kits and laboratory staff. In the DRC, where the Ebola virus has recurred since 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed mobile testing units to affected areas, but access is often blocked by ongoing armed conflicts. In April, clashes between militia groups and government forces in Ituri province disrupted the distribution of medical supplies, according to a WHO report obtained by this outlet.
Mistrust of health initiatives has further complicated containment efforts. In several communities, residents have resisted vaccination campaigns, citing fears of side effects and historical grievances against government health programs. “People are scared, and they don’t trust outsiders,” said Dr. Amina Kambale, a Congolese epidemiologist working in North Kivu. “Some believe the virus is a conspiracy to control the population.”
The Ugandan government has declared a public health emergency in three northern districts, where the first cases were reported in late April. Officials have established isolation centers and launched awareness campaigns, but cross-border movement between the DRC and Uganda has raised concerns about the virus spreading to neighboring regions. The Ugandan Health Ministry confirmed 12 confirmed cases as of May 25, though local media cite higher unofficial numbers.
International aid agencies, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Red Cross, have scaled up operations in both countries, but funding gaps persist. The WHO has appealed for $45 million to support response efforts, with only 30% of the requested funds secured as of early May. “Without adequate resources, we risk losing the battle against this outbreak,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, in a May 22 statement.
Efforts to develop a targeted treatment for the strain are underway, but no new therapies have been approved for use. The DRC’s national laboratory, which has been overwhelmed by the surge in cases, has begun collaborating with international partners to accelerate genetic sequencing of the virus. Preliminary results suggest the strain is closely related to the 2018-2020 outbreak in the DRC but with mutations that may affect transmissibility.
Regional leaders have called for coordinated action, with the East African Community (EAC) pledging to enhance border screening and information sharing. However, political tensions between the DRC and Uganda over resource disputes have delayed some cross-border initiatives. A scheduled EAC emergency summit on June 10 will focus on the outbreak, but no binding measures have been announced yet.
