Congo Ebola response strained a month after WHO declares international emergency

Health authorities responding to the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are struggling with severe shortages of staff, ambulances, medical supplies, and infrastructure.

One month after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global health emergency, more than 800 confirmed cases have been reported, raising fears that it could become one of the deadliest Ebola epidemics in history.

According to Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya, thousands of people who may have been exposed to the virus have not yet been traced. Ongoing insecurity, extensive mining activities, and population movement in affected urban areas have made it difficult for health teams to identify and monitor all contacts, increasing the risk of further transmission.

The response has also been hindered by challenges in patient care. Some infected individuals have refused or escaped treatment, while others have not received adequate medical support. WHO data shows that a significant number of suspected cases in Ituri Province, the worst-affected area, are not being investigated promptly due to limited resources and personnel.

Aid workers report serious operational gaps, including insufficient ambulances, shortages of burial and decontamination teams, and delays in responding to suspected cases.

Although the Congolese government says it has deployed community workers to track contacts, officials acknowledge difficulties such as lost contacts, population movement between health zones, and fuel shortages for mobile response units.

Experts say the outbreak response urgently requires more funding and supplies, ranging from personal protective equipment to construction materials for isolation centers.

The African Union has received only about 20 percent of the funds needed for its response plan, while international aid has declined compared to previous Ebola outbreaks. Health officials are urging donors to increase support before the situation worsens further.