The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). It has rushed 11.5 tonnes of medical supplies to the conflict-battered Ituri Province within 72 hours of the outbreak’s declaration.
Global health emergency: No licensed vaccine or treatment exists
The DRC government, with aggressive backing from the WHO, is rapidly scaling up critical measures to control and halt the global health emergency in the spread of the virus. The outbreak, caused by the Ebola Bundibugyo virus, marks the country’s 17th outbreak since the disease was first identified in 1976.
The previous outbreak, involving the more common Zaire strain, ended in December 2025. Unlike the Zaire strain, however, no licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists for the Bundibugyo virus disease.
The WHO Director-General, therefore, determined that the unusual and dangerous nature of this outbreak demands urgent international coordination.
After officials declared the outbreak on May 15, 2026, WHO rapidly delivered 11.5 tonnes of vital medical supplies and equipment. The cargo arrived from facilities in Kinshasa and from the agency’s regional emergency hubs in Dakar, Senegal, and Nairobi, Kenya.
The supplies include personal protective equipment (PPE), medical kits, tents, water purification tablets, and sanitation and hygiene items. Additional supplies are already in transit from Kinshasa and will reach Ituri in the coming days.
MONUSCO, Ethiopian Airlines join WHO airlift
More than 35 experts and first responders from WHO and the DRC’s Ministry of Health have deployed to the field. Additional teams are joining the response to reinforce disease surveillance for early detection, clinical care, infection prevention, and control.
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) has provided essential airlift support to transport supplies from Nairobi. It has also facilitated ground access, enhancing operational effectiveness in the volatile region.
“The collaboration with MONUSCO has been pivotal in ensuring a swift response. Their ability to provide airlift support significantly enhances our logistics capabilities, allowing us to respond to the needs of the community effectively,” said Adama Thiam, Head of Regional Emergency Operations and Logistics at WHO Africa.
Ethiopian Airlines also stepped in, reprioritising its flights to ensure urgent delivery of cargo. This is a move Thiam described as proof of partners’ commitment during this critical time.
The outbreak is unfolding against a complex epidemiological, humanitarian, and security backdrop. Ituri Province suffers from chronic insecurity, highly mobile populations involved in cross-border trade and mining, and the presence of large refugee communities.
Meanwhile, health workers and humanitarian groups are rushing to contain an Ebola outbreak spreading through eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A former UK government minister has warned that the crisis should serve as a wake-up call over the dangers of cutting British and American aid.