GENEVA, Aug 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The World Health Organization called Tuesday 
for more support across to board to combat the Ebola outbreak in Democratic 
Republic of Congo, which is still outpacing response efforts.

The outbreak is the biggest ever to have hit the DR Congo, despite being 
declared less than three months ago.

"The outbreak is unfortunately still expanding beyond the capacity of the 
response," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva.

"We need more support in terms of finances, but also other resources to scale 
up all areas of response: treatment capacity, field investigation teams, safe 
burial teams and community workers."

There have been 3,748 confirmed cases of Ebola in the DRC, including 1,657 
deaths. A total of 708 patients have recovered, and there are 227 suspected 
cases under investigation.

A total of 17,000 contacts of cases are being monitored, with more than 80 
percent of them receiving daily check-ups.

Though cases have been reported from five provinces, nearly 90 percent are in 
northeastern Ituri, with nearly all the rest in neighbouring North Kivu.

Jasarevic said the response needed to focus on where the virus is spreading 
now, and where it might go next.

A viral haemorrhagic fever, Ebola spreads through close contact and infected 
bodily fluids.

The outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola -- for which there 
are no proven safe and efficacious treatments for patients, preventative 
vaccines or prophylaxis options to stop people exposed to the virus from 
falling ill.

But various trials are under way of potential treatments, vaccines and post-
exposure antiviral drugs.

The DRC's 17th Ebola outbreak was declared on May 15 after several deaths in 
Ituri.