GENEVA, May 26: The World Health Organization has warned that the fast-spreading Ebola outbreak in Central Africa is likely to worsen as health authorities struggle to contain infections in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring Uganda.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak has expanded more rapidly than response efforts, with hundreds of suspected cases and rising fatalities reported across affected regions. The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine.
According to health officials, confirmed infections and deaths continue to rise, while hundreds of suspected cases remain under investigation. Medical teams are facing enormous challenges due to armed conflict, population displacement and limited healthcare infrastructure in remote areas.
Authorities also reported attacks on medical centers and growing mistrust among local communities, making containment efforts even more difficult. International health experts warned that the disease could spread into neighboring countries if immediate action is not taken.
Uganda has already reported confirmed infections linked to cross-border movement, prompting increased screening measures and travel advisories. Several countries have strengthened airport monitoring and emergency preparedness systems to prevent wider international transmission.
The WHO has classified the outbreak as a major public health emergency and appealed for urgent global support. Aid organizations are calling for more medical supplies, trained personnel and financial assistance to expand testing and treatment operations.
Health experts stressed that rapid identification of cases and community awareness campaigns remain essential to controlling the outbreak. However, insecurity in conflict-hit regions continues to limit access to vulnerable populations.
The Ebola outbreak has also reignited concerns about the ability of fragile healthcare systems to respond to simultaneous humanitarian crises, including displacement, malnutrition and infectious diseases.
Global health agencies emphasized that international cooperation would be critical in preventing a wider regional emergency. Medical researchers are meanwhile working to accelerate studies on experimental treatments and vaccines for the Bundibugyo strain.
Officials cautioned that without stronger containment measures, the outbreak could become one of the most serious public health challenges facing Central Africa in recent years.