GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has spread to two new health zones in North Kivu province, adding to the 28 zones already affected. The agency noted that hospitals in the region are operating at full capacity and that the disease poses a heightened risk to neighboring countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
WHO Expands Response in North Kivu
WHO officials confirmed that the two new health zones, identified as Goma and Masisi, have reported confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD). The organization has deployed additional field teams to the zones and increased the number of isolation units. It also intensified contact tracing and community outreach programs in the affected areas.
Hospital Capacity Reached Limits
Medical staff in Goma’s main referral hospital have reported that the facility is operating at 100 percent capacity. The hospital’s intensive care unit is fully occupied, and the staff is working extended shifts to manage the influx of patients. WHO has supplied personal protective equipment and treatment kits to help the overwhelmed health workers.
Risk to Neighboring Nations
Health authorities in Rwanda and Uganda have issued travel advisories for residents of the border regions. The ministries of health in both countries have increased surveillance at border crossings and are ready to deploy rapid response teams if cases are detected. Burundi’s health ministry has also announced that it will be on standby to receive patients if the outbreak spreads beyond the current zones.
Vaccination Campaigns Intensified
WHO’s emergency vaccine program, which began in early 2024, has been expanded to include the new health zones. The agency is distributing the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine to frontline health workers and high-risk populations. According to WHO data, more than 120,000 doses have been administered across DR Congo since the start of the campaign.
International Support and Coordination
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has coordinated with the Congolese government to provide logistical support for the outbreak response. OCHA’s field office in Goma has reported that it is working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure that supplies reach the most affected communities.
Historical Context
DR Congo has experienced several Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified in 1976. The most recent epidemic began in 2018 and was declared over in 2020 after 1,400 cases were reported. The current outbreak, which began in early 2026, has already surpassed the case count of the 2018 epidemic, according to WHO’s latest situation report.
Government Response
The Congolese government has declared a state of emergency in North Kivu. The Ministry of Health has mobilized additional medical personnel from other provinces and has requested assistance from international partners. The government has also set up a dedicated hotline for reporting suspected cases.
Public Health Measures
Community leaders in the affected zones have been engaged to promote safe burial practices and to discourage the use of traditional funeral rites that can facilitate virus transmission. WHO has provided educational materials in local languages to help communities understand the importance of early reporting and isolation.
Future Outlook
WHO’s latest assessment indicates that the outbreak could continue to spread if containment measures are not reinforced. The organization is urging neighboring countries to maintain vigilance and to strengthen cross-border surveillance. The WHO Regional Office for Africa has called for increased funding to support the ongoing response.
