The World Health Organisation says it is intensifying efforts and supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government to contain the Ebola outbreak in the country’s north-eastern Ituri Province.

The WHO, in a statement on Tuesday stated that more than 35 experts and first responders from WHO and the health ministry had been deployed to the field.

According to WHO, it has rapidly established and scaled up critical measures to control and halt the spread of the disease.

Following the declaration of the outbreak on May 15, 2026, WHO acted rapidly, delivering 11.5 tonnes of vital medical supplies and equipment within 72 hours. The supplies were despatched rom facilities in Kinshasa and from its Regional Emergency Hubs in Dakar and Nairobi.

It said additional teams were being deployed as the response intensified to reinforce key measures, including disease surveillance for early detection. Others are  clinical care, infection prevention and control, and engaging communities to ensure public health measures are observed.

Collaboration with partner organisations and the private sector was crucial in the timely delivery of the emergency supplies, it said.

“The United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has provided essential airlift support for transporting supplies from Nairobi and facilitated ground access to enhance operational effectiveness.

“The collaboration with MONUSCO has been pivotal in ensuring a swift response. Their ability to provide airlift support significantly enhances our logistics capabilities, allowing us to respond to the needs of the community effectively,” said Adama Thiam, head of the Regional Emergency Operations and Logistics at WHO Africa.

The statement said negotiations with Ethiopian Airlines enabled reprioritisation of their flights to ensure urgent delivery of cargo, demonstrating the commitment of  partners to assist during the exercise.

The supplied materials, it said, included personal protective equipment, medical kits, tents, and water, sanitation and hygiene items—all crucial for preventing infection and managing cases effectively.

It noted that, unlike Ebola virus disease, no licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists for Bundibugyo virus disease.

“Research and development initiatives are being mobilised to identify and advance potential medical countermeasures.

“Response strategies will rely heavily on comprehensive public health measures, including supportive care, early case detection, stringent infection prevention and control protocols, rigorous contact tracing, safe burial practices, and deep community engagement,” the statement said.

WHO further said that the outbreak of the disease was DRC’s 17th since the virus was first identified in 1976.

The previous one was an outbreak of Ebola that ended in December 2025, it added.   

(NAN)