The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is spreading more quickly than in any previous outbreak, with over 2,000 confirmed cases and more than 700 deaths reported as of 11 July. In contrast, Uganda has begun a 42-day countdown to being declared Ebola-free after discharging its final patient, a Congolese national who recovered from the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
Uganda’s Path to Eradication
Uganda’s health ministry confirmed on July 16 that the country’s last Ebola patient, a Congolese national, had been discharged after recovering from the Bundibugyo strain. This marks the start of a 42-day period during which no new cases must be reported for Uganda to be declared Ebola-free, according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The nation had recorded 20 cases since mid-May, 15 of which were people infected in the DRC who then travelled to Uganda. No new cases have been reported since June 22, signaling a potential end to the outbreak in Uganda.
Today, Uganda has discharged the last Ebola patient, a Congolese national who has successfully recovered and [is] ready to be with his family,
the health ministry posted on X. The country’s success stands in stark contrast to the DRC’s escalating crisis, where the virus has spread beyond its initial epicenter in Ituri Province to two new regions, Haut-Uele and Tshopo, according to UN News.
DRC’s Escalating Crisis
The DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak, declared on May 15, has seen an alarming acceleration, with over 2,000 confirmed cases reported as of July 16. Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, described the outbreak as having the fastest growth in a single month since the outbreak started and of all the Ebola outbreaks that we have managed,
with some days recording over 80 new cases in 24 hours. The virus has spread to five provinces, with 80% of new cases arising from unknown chains of transmission,
the WHO reported, complicating containment efforts.
You have to imagine that this is a fire,
Ihekweazu said, noting that there’s something driving the fire in its heart, and it’s also expanding at the same time.
The WHO’s modelling indicates that its scale could be at least two to four times
the number of reported cases, with many infections occurring in communities that never reached healthcare facilities. The agency warned that over 80% of new cases are detected outside known contact lists,
indicating missed transmission pathways.
Healthcare workers in the DRC have faced additional challenges, including a strike at Bunia General Hospital, where staff blocked entrances on Wednesday to demand unpaid wages. The strike disrupted critical care and highlighted the strain on an already overburdened system.
Strikes, Treatments, and Global Response
Strikes by unpaid healthcare workers have further complicated efforts to control the outbreak. On Monday, staff at a treatment center in Ituri province, the outbreak’s epicenter, closed the facility and blocked access over unpaid wages. A separate strike at Bunia General Hospital followed on Wednesday, with workers demanding compensation. The WHO has called for international support to address these challenges, noting that the more we do right now, the better placed we will be in the future.
Dr Ihekweazu emphasized the need for open and transparent
communication with communities to build trust and prevent attacks on healthcare workers. Before any new centre is opened, we invite leaders of the community to see what is being done,
he said, stressing the importance of addressing misinformation and fear.
The DRC’s outbreak remains a critical global health concern. The agency is pushing for increased funding, personnel, and community engagement to stem the tide. Meanwhile, Uganda’s progress offers a glimmer of hope, though experts caution that the virus’s rapid spread in the DRC underscores the need for sustained international support.
As the 42-day countdown begins in Uganda, the focus shifts to the DRC, where the WHO has described the situation as “a fire” requiring immediate action. With 80% of new cases emerging from unknown transmission chains, the race to contain the outbreak is intensifying. The coming weeks will determine whether the DRC can reverse its trajectory—or if the virus will continue to outpace containment efforts.
Aljazeera reported Uganda’s progress, while AP News detailed the strikes and treatment trials. UN News provided insights into the outbreak’s rapid growth.
Worth a look
