WHO Expands DR Congo Ebola Care, Issues 16 Filovirus Treatment Recommendations
Updated
Updated · UN News · Jun 17
WHO Expands DR Congo Ebola Care, Issues 16 Filovirus Treatment Recommendations
3 articles · Updated · UN News · Jun 17
Summary
Eastern DR Congo has added Ebola isolation and treatment capacity for the Bundibugyo outbreak, with WHO upgrading facilities, building individual isolation rooms and installing a 10,000-litre water tank.
Sixteen new WHO recommendations for Ebola and Marburg care stress early supportive treatment—rapid management of dehydration and shock, lab monitoring, antibiotics for bacterial infections and follow-up for survivors—especially where no vaccines or therapies exist.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said community mistrust remains a major barrier after his visit to Ituri, where insecurity, displacement and population movements are still complicating the response.
Clinical trials of promising medicines are expected in coming weeks, but WHO said ending the outbreak will also require cross-border cooperation and broader health investment beyond Ebola alone.
WHO also criticized broad travel restrictions as counterproductive, arguing they do more harm than good during an outbreak already unfolding without approved Bundibugyo-specific vaccines or therapeutics.
While the world pledges aid, are major cuts to global health funding creating the perfect storm for the next pandemic?
With no vaccine and deep mistrust, is Congo's Ebola response repeating the devastating failures of the past?
2026 Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak in Uganda and DRC: Response, Treatment Gaps, and Global Health Implications
Overview
As of mid-June 2026, Africa’s response to deadly filovirus outbreaks is evolving, with a strong focus on managing the Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in Uganda. Efforts include extensive contact tracing, with 826 contacts identified and 350 still under follow-up. These actions are part of broader strategies to address the severe threat posed by Ebola and Marburg viruses, which have high fatality rates. The ongoing response highlights the importance of early detection, active surveillance, and coordinated public health measures to control outbreaks and protect communities across the region.