Kinshasa: Ebola outbreak intensifies across Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the risk of spread to South Sudan grows. Transmission is accelerating in locations already affected, while the virus is spreading into new areas, significantly increasing the risk of cross-border spread into South Sudan.
According to African Press Organization, case numbers have continued to rise steadily, suggesting the outbreak has not yet reached its peak. There are now five provinces in the DRC affected by the Ebola outbreak, including Tshopo province where the town of Kisangani is situated-over 500km west of the current epicenter, Bunia. The Ministry of Health added ten provinces that are now considered at high risk, including Kinshasa, and are targeted with additional protocols and preparedness activities.
The risk to South Sudan is particularly alarming. If Ebola crosses the border, it could spread silently before being detected, making the response far more complex and putting countless lives at risk, said Bob Kitchen, Vice President of Emergencies for the IRC. Weak surveillance systems, limited health infrastructure, ongoing conflict, and a sparse humanitarian presence could delay detection and response.
The confirmation of two cases in Wamba, Haut-U©l© Province, near the South Sudan border has significantly heightened the risk of cross-border transmission. The WHO estimates a 70% likelihood that Ebola will spread into the country. The emergence of cases in Kisangani is also deeply concerning, as the city sits on the Congo River, a major transport corridor linking eastern DRC with Kinshasa, raising the risk of wider geographic spread.
The IRC is supporting preparedness and response efforts in high-risk areas, strengthening infection prevention and control, surveillance, community engagement, and support for frontline health workers to help contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
Operational constraints, including border and airport closures and security challenges within the DRC, continue to limit response implementation. With response efforts not yet fully operational across all affected areas, undetected chains of transmission may continue to spread.