13.11.2026 17:21
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the toll of the Ebola outbreak that has been ongoing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 6 months. More than 11,000 people were infected in the outbreak, while 5,400 people died. The fact that more than a third of the deceased were children laid bare the scale of the disaster. In the country, where up to 500 new cases were reported each week, more than 80 attacks on health facilities made the fight against the outbreak even more difficult.
The Ebola outbreak continues to claim lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization announced that the spread of the disease in the country, where thousands of people have died, has not yet been stopped.
5,400 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN 6 MONTHS
Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Programme, announced the latest data on the Ebola outbreak in the country at the weekly press briefing of the United Nations Geneva Office. Reminding that the outbreak was declared 6 months ago, Ihekweazu reported that more than 11,000 people had contracted Ebola and 5,400 people had lost their lives. Noting that the devastating impact of the disease on communities continues, Ihekweazu emphasized that the efforts to bring the outbreak under control are not yet sufficient.
MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF THE DEAD ARE CHILDREN
The most painful toll of the outbreak emerged in the number of children who lost their lives. According to data announced by the WHO, children make up more than one-third of those who died due to Ebola. Ihekweazu described the scale the outbreak has reached in these words: "More than 11,000 people contracted Ebola and 5,400 people lost their lives. Children make up more than one-third of these deaths. The transmission process of the disease continues, and up to 500 new cases are reported every week."
UP TO 500 NEW CASES ARE REPORTED EVERY WEEK
According to the WHO's statement, significant progress has been made in the Mongbwalu, Nyankunde, Nizi, Rwampara and Butembo areas, where the disease was seen intensively in the early stages of the outbreak. Stating that the outbreak has been largely brought under control in these areas, Ihekweazu said that case numbers have also decreased in Bunia, where transmission continues at serious levels. However, the continued reporting of new cases revealed that the danger is not yet over. The WHO official said, "Although this progress is real, it is quite fragile and not sufficient. We must do much more."
MORE THAN 80 ATTACKS ON HEALTH FACILITIES
In the fight against the Ebola outbreak, not only the spread of the disease but also the increasing incidents of violence in the region pose a serious obstacle. Ihekweazu announced that more than 80 attacks on health services in the last 6 months have been verified by the WHO. It was stated that the attacks make it harder for health workers to reach patients and disrupt disease tracking and treatment processes. Access to health services for people forced to relocate due to security problems has also been negatively affected.
CRITICAL WARNING FROM THE WHO: WE MUST DO MORE
Stating that the WHO and partner organizations have supported the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the beginning of the outbreak, Ihekweazu said that the fight must continue without interruption. In his statement, Ihekweazu used the following expressions: "Violence prevents us from reaching people in need of help, disrupts disease tracking and treatment processes, and causes people to relocate, disrupting their access to health services. Ebola is only one of the threats these communities face. While response efforts continue, essential health and humanitarian aid services must also continue. We aim to leave behind a stronger health system that will prevent such outbreaks from emerging in the first place."