WHO chief appeals for ceasefire as Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak spreads in DRC
With no approved vaccines for the Bundibugyo strain, the World Health Organization is urging warring parties to halt hostilities to allow health workers safe access to affected communities.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has issued a direct appeal to warring parties in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to declare a ceasefire, enabling health workers to safely access communities affected by an Ebola outbreak in Ituri province. The Director-General confirmed that the current outbreak is caused by the Ebola Bundibugyo virus, a strain for which no approved vaccines or specific treatments currently exist.
Tedros announced he will travel to Bunia in person to support the response effort, emphasising that the World Health Organization is working under the leadership of the DRC government. He highlighted that more than 90 per cent of cases are located in Ituri province, with a small number of cases also reported in North Kivu and South Kivu. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, citing high national and regional risk, although the global risk is assessed as low.
The Director-General drew on his previous experiences in the region, noting he visited North Kivu fourteen times between 2018 and 2020 during a prior outbreak. He recalled being given the local name "Dr Paluku" by communities in Beni and Butembo, a bond he described as a reminder that the work is about people rather than titles. He acknowledged that previous responses in the DRC had sometimes failed to earn community trust, promising a more collaborative approach that listens to local concerns.
Tedros addressed the resilience of Ituri’s population, describing the province as a place of vibrant commerce and entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in the markets of Bunia. He urged young people to help break the fear and silence that allow the virus to spread, and thanked health workers for their courage amidst difficult conditions and ongoing conflict. He also pledged that World Health Organization teams will remain in the region after the outbreak ends to help build long-term health systems.
The outbreak began on 24 April when the first known case, a nurse, developed symptoms and died in Bunia. The body of the first case was subsequently repatriated to Mongwalu, a gold-mining town where the majority of cases have been reported. While there are no specific treatments for the Bundibugyo virus, the World Health Organization emphasised that early supportive care in treatment centres can make a significant difference in survival rates.
The Director-General expressed deep concern over the security situation, noting that conflict and displacement make it harder to reach people who need care and keep health workers safe. He implored warring parties to provide even a brief ceasefire to allow life-saving interventions to proceed. He assured the public that the World Health Organization is working to ensure the response reaches every community, regardless of location or the surrounding conflict.
Tedros concluded by reaffirming the strength of the DRC people, noting that the country has overcome every one of the 16 previous Ebola outbreaks. He stated that the world is watching the courage of the people of Ituri and that together, they will overcome this challenge. He promised that no one is working alone and that the response is coordinated, committed, and focused on protecting communities.
