Red Cross has warned that the Ebola outbreak sweeping through eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has not yet reached its peak, raising concerns that the deadly disease could continue spreading for months despite intensified regional response efforts.
The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has already infected more than 800 people and claimed at least 192 lives across three provinces in eastern Congo.
Unlike some other forms of Ebola, the Bundibugyo species currently has no approved vaccine or proven treatment, complicating efforts to contain the disease as health workers race to identify infections, trace contacts and educate communities.
The latest warning came from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which is supporting response efforts on the ground.
According to Bruno Michon, Operations Manager for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the outbreak remains highly unpredictable and that the true scale of infections may still be unknown more than a month after authorities officially declared the epidemic.
“It’s very difficult to know exactly to what extent the epidemic is spreading but yes, the peak is, I think, not behind us, but in front of us. We are afraid that this could last one year, to end this disease.”
Bruno Michon
His assessment highlights growing concern among public health experts that eastern Congo faces a prolonged battle against the virus, particularly in regions already grappling with insecurity, displacement and limited healthcare infrastructure.
Government figures show the disease continues to spread across multiple provinces. Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals and can remain infectious even after death, making traditional burial practices a significant risk factor in affected communities.
Health officials have disclosed that response has been hampered by a shortage of treatment facilities, logistical challenges and resistance from some local communities. Misinformation, fear and mistrust of authorities have further complicated efforts to identify cases and isolate infected individuals quickly.
Michon revealed that Red Cross teams involved in community outreach and safe burial operations have faced hostility in recent days.
“Building trust takes time. It requires honesty, patience, and humility, but in this outbreak it is not optional, it is life-saving.”
Bruno Michon
The situation has also become a regional concern after the virus crossed into neighbouring Uganda, prompting heightened surveillance and emergency measures along one of Africa’s busiest cross-border corridors.
Uganda confirmed the outbreak’s arrival in May and has since recorded 19 confirmed cases and one probable case, with health officials linking most infections to transmission originating from the DRC.
The development has intensified fears of wider regional spread, particularly given the high volume of daily movement between communities on both sides of the border.
Despite the challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed cautious optimism about Uganda’s response, describing it as a model of preparedness and rapid action.
Cross-Border Cooperation Emerges as Key to Preventing Wider Regional Crisis
While Uganda’s response has earned international recognition, health experts warn that continued vigilance and strong cooperation between neighbouring countries will determine whether the outbreak can be brought under control.
A senior WHO official who spent several weeks assessing the situation on the ground pointed to several encouraging developments, including strong community participation, newly established laboratory facilities and the successful recovery of some patients.
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, noted that these signs demonstrate that containment remains achievable despite the difficult operating environment.
One of the most notable achievements highlighted by WHO was the rapid establishment of an Ebola Treatment Unit at Mulago Hospital’s isolation facility in Kampala.
According to health officials, the unit became operational within six hours of the outbreak being declared, reflecting years of investment in preparedness and emergency response capacity.
The facility is staffed by members of Uganda’s Emergency Medical Team, a specialised 146-member group established and trained in 2023 with support from WHO and the European Union.
Nevertheless, WHO officials caution that the risk of additional transmission remains significant. The close social, economic and family ties linking communities across the Uganda-DRC border mean that efforts to contain the outbreak cannot succeed through isolated national actions alone.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that stopping transmission at its source remains essential to reducing the threat of wider regional spread.
He emphasised the importance of ongoing coordination between the two countries, stating that no government can effectively manage such epidemics without coordinated surveillance, information sharing, and collaborative response systems.
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