The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the ongoing armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is severely undermining efforts to contain a growing Ebola outbreak in Ituri province.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the situation as a “catastrophic collision” between disease and conflict, emphasizing that violence in the region is preventing medical teams from reaching affected communities and tracking infections effectively.According to the WHO, at least 10 confirmed Ebola deaths and around 220 suspected deaths have been recorded since mid-May 2026.Nearly 900 suspected cases have also been identified since the DRC officially declared the outbreak on May 15.Health officials believe the actual number of infections could be significantly higher due to limited access to remote and conflict-affected areas.The Ebola strain involved in the outbreak is the Bundibugyo variant, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

Tedros stressed that humanitarian access is essential to stopping transmission, but ongoing clashes among armed groups are causing mass displacement, overcrowded camps, and disruptions to critical containment operations.

He also noted that attacks on healthcare facilities and insecurity are making it nearly impossible for frontline workers to monitor patients and trace contacts safely.Neighboring Uganda has responded by temporarily closing its borders with the DRC except for authorized humanitarian and cargo operations.The country also introduced strict health screenings and mandatory 21-day self-isolation measures for returning travelers.

African health authorities warned that several neighboring countries remain at risk of Ebola spread, although the WHO currently considers the risk of global transmission to be low.

International health agencies continue monitoring the outbreak closely because of infections among healthcare workers and the presence of cases in urban areas.