WHO chief raises alarm over scale of Ebola outbreak after death toll climbs

WHO Chief Expresses Deep Concern Over Ebola Outbreak’s Scale and Spread

WHO chief raises alarm over scale – On Tuesday, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) voiced escalating worries about the rapid escalation of the Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. With the death toll climbing to 131, the situation has drawn urgent attention, prompting questions about how the virus managed to spread unnoticed for weeks. The DRC’s health minister, Dr. Samuel Roger Kamba, confirmed the rising numbers, reporting over 500 suspected cases. Meanwhile, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the outbreak, driven by the Bundibugyo virus, has taken a severe toll, particularly in the remote northeastern Ituri province, where 30 confirmed cases have been identified.

Dr. Tedros highlighted the challenges posed by the outbreak, noting that the Bundibugyo strain, part of the Orthoebolaviruses family, is now causing significant disruption. He explained that the virus primarily targets the Ituri region, which has been struggling with limited healthcare access and ongoing conflict. In Uganda, the situation is equally critical, as the country reported two confirmed cases in its capital, Kampala. These cases, according to the WHO, involve Congolese nationals who entered Uganda from the DRC, raising concerns about potential cross-border transmission.

Understanding the Virus and Its Spread

According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials. The disease can also be transmitted from an infected person who has passed away. While the average fatality rate stands at 50%, the absence of a specific treatment or vaccine for the Bundibugyo variant complicates containment efforts. Dr. Satish Pillai, a deputy director at the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), mentioned that medical teams are exploring monoclonal antibody therapies as a possible solution, though no timeline has been provided for their availability.

Regional officials and aid workers have pointed to longstanding challenges in the DRC as a key factor in the outbreak’s persistence. Years of civil unrest, slashed funding for health programs, and widespread malnutrition in remote areas have created a vulnerable environment. The latest flare-up in Ituri province has exposed weaknesses in the healthcare system, making it difficult to respond swiftly. A relief worker warned that children are “most vulnerable” in this context, underscoring the threat to the region’s younger population.

Conflict and Aid Cuts Worsen the Crisis

Philippe Guiton, the national director for World Vision in the DRC, described the region as “already heavily affected by conflict and where humanitarian assistance remains insufficient due to lack of resources.” This sentiment is echoed by David Munkley, the east zone director at the same organization, who noted that Ituri is experiencing a “significant rise in acute malnutrition,” further weakening people’s immune systems. Combined with the limited access to medical facilities, these conditions have made the outbreak’s management increasingly difficult.

Dr. Tedros also addressed the security situation in Ituri, stating that the province has become “highly insecure” following a surge in conflict since late 2025. He warned that the escalating violence has led to a “substantial increase in civilian casualties,” complicating efforts to isolate the virus. More than 100,000 people have been “newly displaced” in the area, and the high level of population movement is expected to raise the risk of further transmission. “The movement of people,” he said, “may act as a catalyst for the virus to spread beyond the region.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the logistical challenges of accessing outbreak zones, describing the DRC’s affected areas as “a little tough to get to.” He noted that the region’s remoteness and ongoing conflict have made it difficult for responders to reach communities in need. “It’s in a rural area,” he explained, “so it’s kind of confined in a hard-to-reach place in a war-torn country, unfortunately.” This comment marked Rubio’s first public remarks since the outbreak was detected.

Experts have questioned the delay in identifying the initial cases, given the frequency of Ebola outbreaks in recent years. Dr. Craig Spencer, who survived the 2014 Ebola infection, told CNN that the lessons learned from past epidemics should have prepared officials for a more severe scenario. “There’s no doubt that this is probably much worse than what we think right now,” he said. “I suspect the true case total is much higher than what’s being reported.” This sentiment highlights the growing urgency to address the current outbreak before it spirals out of control.

As the crisis deepens, the US has taken measures to limit the spread of the virus. On Monday, the country invoked a public health law to restrict entry from the affected region, following the confirmation of a positive test in one of its citizens in the DRC. The American individual is being sent to Germany for treatment at Charité university hospital in Berlin, as stated by the German health ministry. While this step aims to contain the outbreak, Ugandan authorities have sought to reassure the public, insisting that “there has been no local transmission within the country” despite the two confirmed cases.

Global Response and Lessons from the Past

The Africa CDC criticized the US travel restrictions, arguing that they may be overly cautious. The agency emphasized the need for a balanced approach to mitigate the outbreak without causing unnecessary panic. Meanwhile, the WHO continues to monitor the situation closely, with Dr. Tedros urging coordinated efforts to address the challenges in Ituri. The outbreak serves as a reminder of the fragility of public health systems in regions affected by prolonged conflict and resource shortages.

Historically, the largest Ebola outbreak occurred in West Africa from 2014 to 2016, resulting in 11,325 deaths and infecting over 28,600 individuals. Dr. Spencer, who survived that crisis, noted the importance of learning from past experiences. “I’ve been saying the most concerning thing to me has been how much we learned, how quickly we learned it,” he stated. “But the current situation feels like it’s moving faster than anticipated.”

As the situation evolves, the focus remains on containing the virus in Ituri while addressing the broader systemic issues that have enabled its spread. The WHO’s warnings, paired with the realities on the ground, paint a picture of a crisis that is both immediate and long-term. With the death toll rising and the outbreak threatening to expand, the need for sustained international support and local preparedness has never been more critical.