UN calls Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo the fastest-growing on record

Demands on the international community

Harneis underscored the urgency of further assistance in conversations with reporters. "We need to massively scale up our response, whether in the supply of aid goods, particularly protective equipment, personnel, medical professionals, and logisticians." Early treatment enormously increases the chances of survival, Harneis added.

DR Congo's health authorities are working with international partners to set up additional treatment centers and to train medical staff on the ground. The Ebola vaccination campaign, which has proven effective in previous outbreaks, is being expanded, according to those involved.

Combating Ebola: Vaccinations and treatment centers

Despite these efforts, the UN considers the situation critical. The combination of limited resources, the remoteness of the affected regions, and the existing crisis of trust among the population is making containment of the virus difficult.

The United Nations once again called on the international community to provide financial and personnel support. Without a significant increase in funding, containing the outbreak is at risk, the spokespersons warned.

Risk of regional spread

Historically, the West Africa outbreak of 2014 to 2016, with more than 11,000 deaths, ranks among the most consequential Ebola events worldwide. The current outbreak in eastern Congo threatens to surpass these dimensions if rapid countermeasures are not taken, according to the UN.

DR Congo has dealt with Ebola outbreaks multiple times in the past. However, the current epidemic is distinguished by the speed with which new cases are accumulating, as well as by the particularly difficult accessibility of the affected areas.

Humanitarian organizations on the ground report that mobile response teams are to be deployed in greater numbers to remote villages in the coming weeks. The goal is to identify suspected cases early, trace contacts, and interrupt chains of infection.

At the same time, concern is growing that a spread beyond DR Congo's borders could burden neighboring countries in the region. According to the UN, it is working closely with neighboring states to prepare cross-border protective measures.