WHO warns Ebola spreading faster than any prior outbreak in DRC

The World Health Organization warned Thursday that the Ebola virus is spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo at a rate faster than any previous outbreak, with more than 2,000 confirmed cases and 796 deaths recorded within two months. The surge has been traced to the virus’s unusually rapid transmission, the absence of an approved vaccine for the specific strain circulating in the region, and the destabilizing impact of ongoing armed conflict that hampers health‑worker access and community engagement.

Health officials said the combination of these factors is complicating containment measures, including contact tracing, safe burial practices, and treatment‑center operations. International partners are scaling up response efforts, but the WHO emphasized that without a targeted vaccine and a stable security environment, curbing the epidemic will remain challenging. Continued monitoring and coordinated humanitarian assistance are deemed essential to limit further spread and reduce mortality.