EBOLA OUTBREAK IN CONGO SPREADS RAPIDLY, WHO WARNS OF 'VERY HIGH' RISK AMID CONFLICT AND SHORTAGES. (PHOTO).

 Ebola outbreak in Congo spreads rapidly, WHO warns of 'very high' risk amid conflict and shortages

 The World Health Organization says an Ebola outbreak in Congo is spreading rapidly and now carries a “very high” risk within the country, as overwhelmed health services, limited supplies, and community resistance hinder containment efforts in a conflict-affected region. While officials stressed that the risk of international spread remains low, they upgraded the national risk level from “high” to “very high,” warning that the situation is likely worse than confirmed figures suggest.

Health authorities report 82 confirmed cases and seven confirmed deaths, though they estimate the outbreak is significantly larger, with nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths. Medical supplies are being rushed to Ituri province in the northeast, where ongoing violence and widespread displacement have made response efforts more difficult. Aid workers say mistrust, misinformation, and clashes with local burial customs have further complicated containment measures.

Tensions erupted this week when an Ebola treatment center in Rwampara was set on fire after residents attempted to retrieve the body of a suspected victim and were blocked by health workers following safety protocols. Officials say such incidents reflect growing anger fueled by misinformation in communities that have endured years of conflict and instability. Some local religious leaders have reportedly told congregants that the outbreak is not real or that faith alone can provide protection, further undermining public health messaging.

International support is increasing, with the United Nations releasing $60 million from its emergency response fund and the United States pledging $23 million in assistance, along with plans to support the establishment of additional treatment facilities in the region. However, local officials say they have yet to see some of the promised resources on the ground. Health workers in affected areas report severe shortages of protective equipment, leaving staff exposed as they screen and refer patients showing symptoms.

Experts from global and regional health agencies believe the true scale of the outbreak has not yet been fully captured due to limited surveillance capacity, which has been further strained by funding cuts and insecurity. The situation is worsened by the ongoing armed conflict in Ituri province, where hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced, and recent militant attacks have killed civilians.

Officials warn that while containment is still possible, the window to act is narrowing as the outbreak expands and spreads through vulnerable communities with limited access to healthcare.