BUNIA — The Democratic Republic of Congo’s health ministry, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), has strongly rejected recent concerns raised by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), insisting that efforts to contain Ebola in the country’s northeast are progressing “successfully and in a coordinated manner.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who visited the Ituri region on a “solidarity mission,” praised coordination between national authorities and local administrations, saying the health system was effectively managing the outbreak.
Health officials said an initial rise in reported cases reflected heightened surveillance and expanded testing rather than a failure in containment efforts. They added that diagnostic equipment had been deployed to major health centres, with sample analysis now being carried out more rapidly.
“There is no alarming situation or systemic gap that has not been addressed,” a health ministry statement said. “Medical supplies and specialist staff continue to arrive regularly through airports, and there are no logistical barriers causing delays.”
Authorities further said health facilities in the region are capable of handling both routine medical care and Ebola treatment simultaneously, thanks to pre-established emergency response plans.
Officials highlighted close collaboration with traditional leaders and community representatives, saying local engagement had helped improve public awareness and encouraged residents to seek treatment voluntarily.
The ministry said the confirmed caseload stands at 134, with 18 deaths, describing the figures as relatively low compared with previous Ebola outbreaks. It dismissed claims of around 1,000 suspected cases as preliminary screening data, saying most individuals tested had been cleared as healthy.
MSF has raised concerns in recent statements about surveillance capacity and the speed of response, but Congolese authorities insist the outbreak remains under control.
