The World Health Organization and the Africa CDC have announced a $518 million plan to combat the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and neighboring countries. According to the latest WHO figures, 381 cases have been confirmed in the DRC, including 64 deaths. Uganda has recorded 16 confirmed cases, including one death. The outbreak is serious, the WHO Director-General stated at a press briefing on Friday, June 5. "It is more significant than the two previous outbreaks," added the Africa CDC Director-General.

Published on: 05/06/2026 - 23:56

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A health worker disinfects an ambulance at an Ebola outbreak treatment center in Mongbwalu, June 5, 2026.

A health worker disinfects an ambulance at an Ebola outbreak treatment center in Mongbwalu, June 5, 2026. © Moses Sawasawa / AP

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“The Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is serious, but we can control it if we work together and quickly,” said the Director-General of the World Health Organization. Tedros Ghebreyesus announced the launch of this joint plan to contain the current Ebola outbreak and reduce the risk of further spread. “The plan focuses on key areas: emergency coordination, surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, and community mobilization.”

More than 200 tons of equipment have already been delivered to the region, notably to accelerate testing. “But the epidemic is spreading rapidly,” says Jean Kaseya, director of the African health agency, Africa CDC, who adds that the challenges are significant. “The biggest challenge remains insecurity. I went to Bunia, in eastern DRC, I wanted to visit some health zones, but I was told it was too dangerous.”

“Ituri is also a densely populated area,” he continued. “The mines attract many people, and populations move around the province and the region. This mobility is one of the factors that exacerbates the spread of this epidemic. Its epicenter remains in Ituri, where 90% of cases and 76% of deaths have been concentrated. If you compare the number of cases and deaths to previous epidemics, this is the most serious epidemic the country has faced.”

Added to this is the public's mistrust. Some still deny the existence of the disease. The epidemic, which affected three health zones in a single province three weeks ago, has now spread to 26 health zones in three provinces.