The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the fastest-growing ever recorded. Speaking in Geneva on Tuesday, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, stated that as of 11 July, there were nearly 2,000 confirmed cases and over 700 deaths across five provinces, making it the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record.

Dr. Ihekweazu highlighted that the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, has seen the fastest growth in a single month since it began. In recent days, some of the highest daily numbers of new infections have been recorded, including over 80 cases confirmed within 24 hours.

A significant concern is that many newly reported deaths occurred in communities where patients never reached health facilities or received care, described by WHO as "the most alarming finding." Despite advances in diagnostics and contact tracing, 80% of new cases are not on contact lists and stem from unknown chains of transmission.

The outbreak was declared two months ago, and WHO modeling suggests the actual scale could be two to four times higher than reported. While up to 95% of new cases originate from Ituri Province, the virus has recently spread to Haut-Uele and Tshopo provinces.

Dr. Ihekweazu urged for earlier case detection and prompt care to reduce community transmission and avoid falling behind the outbreak’s progression. He also emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, "Before any new centre is opened, we invite leaders of the community to see what is being done" and to engage with healthcare providers supporting the response.

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