We need continued solidarity from international community to end Ebola outbreak — WHO
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called for sustained international support to help contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to him, the response requires more resources, improved access to affected communities and stronger global solidarity to bring the outbreak under control.
Dr Tedros made the appeal in a social media post on Tuesday, June 23, noting that the number of confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC have surpassed 1,000.
"#Ebola update: more than 1000 confirmed cases have been reported in #DRC, including 254 deaths. 100 patients have recovered so far, which shows that for many, the virus can be stopped with timely health care," he stated.
The WHO chief said the organization, together with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other partners, has supported health authorities in the DRC to strengthen the response.
He said efforts over the past month have included the expansion of Ebola treatment centres, increased laboratory and surveillance capacity, and the training of health workers in infection prevention and clinical care.
According to Dr Tedros, communities have also been engaged to improve awareness and participation in the response efforts.
However, he stressed that much more support is required to contain the outbreak.
"We need continued solidarity from international community to end this outbreak. And ultimately, we need peace for the people of DRC," he said.
The WHO Director-General noted that additional treatment centres, more healthcare workers, increased testing and stronger community-based interventions are needed to reach all affected populations.
The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, was declared in May 2026 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda.
According to WHO, the outbreak has been complicated by insecurity, population movements and limited access to some affected communities.
The agency says the lack of an approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain presents additional challenges to response efforts.
Recent figures released by Congolese health authorities indicate that more than 250 deaths have been recorded, making it one of the largest Ebola outbreaks in recent years.