WHO Chief Visits DRC Amid Ebola Outbreak

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, traveled to Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on May 28, 2026, to address the country's 17th Ebola outbreak. This visit occurred as authorities reported 121 confirmed cases and 17 confirmed deaths, with an additional 246 suspected fatalities and 1,077 suspected cases. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccines or treatments are currently available.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced efforts to develop a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, with a projected availability by the end of 2026. Concurrently, aid organizations, including UNICEF, delivered essential medical supplies such as masks, gloves, and medications to Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, to support healthcare workers. The European Union is providing additional aid, while the United States has allocated an extra $80 million, bringing its total aid to $112 million since the outbreak began.

The outbreak has also affected neighboring Uganda, which has confirmed eight Ebola cases, including one fatality, and has closed its borders for at least four weeks. Regional countries are increasing surveillance and preventative measures. Challenges in containing the outbreak include public distrust of health protocols, attacks on health centers by armed groups, and a shortage of medical supplies, leading some healthcare workers to use expired equipment.