Congo Reports Ebola Cases Rise to 282, WHO Chief Confirms Five Recoveries as Centre Opens

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported five recoveries from a rare Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, even as authorities confirmed that cases have risen to 282 , prompting an expanded emergency response and the opening of a new treatment centre in Bunia, Ituri province.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said four patients were discharged on Sunday and another earlier, noting that early medical care and supportive treatment can lead to recovery , even without a specific cure for the virus strain.

The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo virus , a rare Ebola species, with infections also reported in neighbouring Uganda due to cross-border transmission. Health officials said the situation remains serious as surveillance expands and more infections are identified.

Aid organisations, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) , warned that the outbreak is spreading faster than containment efforts, urging wider testing, stronger contact tracing, and faster deployment of medical teams and supplies to affected regions.

Authorities said patients are being treated mainly through symptomatic care , including hydration, pain control, and management of vomiting and diarrhoea, as no specific vaccine or approved treatment exists for the strain.

The response is being severely challenged by insecurity and armed conflict in eastern Congo, including attacks linked to the Allied Democratic Forces, which have disrupted access to health facilities and slowed containment operations. Community mistrust, misinformation, and resistance to safe burial protocols have also complicated efforts.

Despite these challenges, officials said the new treatment centre represents strengthened capacity to manage the outbreak. They stressed that early reporting of symptoms, rapid isolation, and community cooperation remain critical to controlling transmission and reducing fatalities.