The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warned Thursday that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains highly severe, with a rapid escalation in cases and fatalities.
As of June 30, the Congolese government reported 1,406 confirmed Ebola cases and 438 deaths.
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Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya delivered the warning in Kinshasa during a facility visit alongside DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
"The objective is to contain this outbreak where it is today," Kaseya said.
Kaseya noted that the current outbreak is expanding faster than previous epidemics, though national containment efforts continue.
He added that the region faces concurrent outbreaks of cholera and measles, compounding the pressure on local health systems.
"We do not want this outbreak to last two years, as was the case in West Africa," Kaseya said.
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DRC President Felix Tshisekedi emphasized that regional coordination is essential to halt the cross-border spread of the disease.
"Health risks know no borders and call for a regional, coordinated and solidarity-based response founded on shared responsibility," Tshisekedi said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa supported the call for regional action, advocating for swift financial mobilization and a local ceasefire to allow humanitarian access.
"Ebola is worsening the humanitarian situation, while the humanitarian situation is increasing the risk of the disease spreading," said Eve Bazaiba, DRC Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity.
Bazaiba stated that approximately 15 million Congolese are currently in need of urgent assistance due to overlapping humanitarian and health crises.
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Meanwhile, the World Health Organization confirmed a clinical trial has started evaluating the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir against the Bundibugyo virus strain.
