Ebola Suspected Cases Surge Past 900 in Eastern DR Congo Amid Conflict

However, the ongoing fighting has made this nearly impossible. Around 100,000 people were displaced in the past month by clashes between government troops and rebel groups. In overcrowded refugee camps, contacts of infected persons cannot distance themselves from others, dramatically increasing the risk of further transmission.

Tedros visited Ituri province, the center of the current outbreak, and stated that violence and insecurity are massively hindering medical care and endangering lives. He called on the warring parties in Bunia to lay down their weapons at least temporarily. 'We cannot help as long as helpers must fear for their safety and their lives,' he said.

The Challenge of an Untreatable Strain

The population density in the mining regions of Ituri further elevates the risk of new infections. New suspected cases are also being reported from neighboring Uganda, signaling a potential regional spread of the disease.

The WHO is working with partners to accelerate clinical studies on possible vaccines and therapies. Its scientific advisory bodies have recommended studies on several promising products that may be effective against the Bundibugyo strain. However, several months will pass before possible treatments become available.

Despite the dire situation, there are signs of progress. On Wednesday, the WHO reported the first recovery case after a confirmed Ebola infection in the DRC. WHO specialist Anaïs Legand said that a patient had recovered and left the hospital after two negative tests.

Glimmers of Hope and a Call for Peace

International aid is also arriving. UNICEF reported that 100 tons of relief supplies from the European Union landed in Bunia. The shipment includes protective equipment for medical personnel, medicines, and hygiene items and is intended to benefit approximately 100,000 people.

Tedros stated in Kinshasa that the outbreak can be stopped. He appealed to the population via X, writing: 'Together we will overcome this outbreak.' He also promised: 'I will do everything in my power to help you.'

The WHO does not support travel bans, with Tedros stating they 'do not achieve much.' This position contrasts with actions taken by the United States, which imposed entry restrictions on people from the affected countries.

The human toll continues to mount. The African Union health authority has registered 1,077 suspected cases, including 246 deaths. The WHO last reported 223 suspected Ebola deaths since the beginning of the latest outbreak, with 10 deaths confirmed.

Welthungerhilfe country director Ursula Langkamp summarized the cumulative crisis facing the region: 'The people in eastern Congo have not had peace for years — first hunger, war and displacement, and now also Ebola.' Approximately ten million people in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu are affected by armed conflicts, displacement, and severely restricted access to humanitarian aid.