The World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched emergency medical supplies to Bunia in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the Ebola outbreak in the region continues to worsen, with the death toll now rising to 136.
Health officials said the latest shipment includes protective equipment, testing materials, medicines and sanitation kits aimed at strengthening treatment and containment efforts in affected communities. The supplies are expected to support overwhelmed health workers battling the spread of the virus in eastern Congo.
According to WHO, the outbreak has placed significant pressure on local healthcare systems, with new infections continuing to emerge in several areas around Bunia and neighbouring territories.
In a statement, the agency said rapid intervention was necessary to prevent further transmission and protect frontline workers responding to the crisis.
“Additional emergency supplies have arrived in Bunia to reinforce ongoing response operations and improve patient care,” WHO stated, adding that surveillance, contact tracing and vaccination campaigns were being intensified.
Health authorities disclosed that hundreds of people who may have been exposed to infected patients are currently being monitored, while isolation centres have been expanded to accommodate rising cases.
Officials also expressed concern over insecurity and population movement in parts of the region, warning that these factors could complicate containment efforts and increase the risk of wider transmission.
The Congolese government, working alongside international health agencies, has urged residents to cooperate with medical teams, report suspected symptoms early and avoid unsafe burial practices that could accelerate infections.
Local leaders have also intensified awareness campaigns to combat misinformation and encourage affected communities to accept treatment and vaccination programmes.
The latest outbreak marks another major public health challenge for the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has experienced multiple Ebola epidemics over the past decade. Previous outbreaks claimed thousands of lives and strained the country’s fragile healthcare infrastructure.
WHO said additional personnel and resources may be deployed if the situation deteriorates further, stressing that early detection and swift response remain critical to limiting the spread of the deadly virus.
