Africa: Africa CDC and WHO Call for Urgent, Community-Led Action to Contain Ebola in the DR Congo

What the report says

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization are urging a faster, more community-led Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to AllAfrica. Their appeal follows a joint mission to Uganda and the DRC on 4 and 5 August that examined how Uganda ended local transmission and reviewed operational problems in eastern DRC, including in Bunia in Ituri province, the epicentre of the outbreak.

The delegation was led by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya and WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi. In Uganda, they met national authorities and response teams after the country declared its outbreak over on 28 July 2026. The organizations said Uganda’s experience highlighted the value of early detection, contact tracing, community trust and cross-border surveillance.

In Bunia and later Kinshasa, the mission met officials, health workers, community representatives and partners. AllAfrica reported that the teams pressed for earlier case detection, better contact follow-up, more access to testing and treatment, stronger support for frontline workers, and quicker delivery of supplies and financing. The article also said the response is under strain from insecurity, poor road access, misinformation and pressure on health services.

The organizations said communities should play a central role in reporting symptoms, referrals, safe burials and other response measures. They also noted that continued transmission in DRC leaves neighbouring countries at risk and requires sustained surveillance and regional preparedness.