Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Is Spreading Faster Than Expected, WHO Warns

The World Health Organization has warned that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading faster than initially thought. More than 514 suspected cases and at least 136 deaths have been reported in the country's northeastern Ituri province. One person has also died in neighboring Uganda, raising serious fears of a wider regional crisis.

WHO doctor Anne Ancia told the BBC that the more officials investigate, the clearer it becomes that the virus has reached new areas. A London-based research team at the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis warned of substantial under-detection of infections. Their modelling suggests the true number of cases may already exceed 1,000, far beyond official estimates.

Residents living near the epicentre described widespread fear and uncertainty about how to protect themselves. A local man named Bigboy told the BBC that people are "really scared" and relying on basic precautions such as washing hands with clean water. However, many community members still lack access to protective supplies like face masks and gloves.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced numerous Ebola outbreaks over several decades, making it the country most severely affected globally by the virus. Health workers continue to face serious logistical challenges in reaching remote communities in Ituri, one of the nation's most conflict-affected regions. Local resident Alfred Giza said his community is aware of the threat but remains anxious while waiting for guidance from health authorities.

International health teams are now deploying vaccines and setting up treatment centres to accelerate containment efforts. The WHO and Congolese health officials are urging communities to report symptoms early and cooperate with contact-tracing teams. Experts stress that swift, coordinated action is essential to prevent the outbreak from expanding beyond the current region.