Ebola Spreading Faster Than Response In DRC, UN Warns

The United Nations has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is expanding faster than containment efforts, with deaths approaching 3,000.

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said the response had been significantly increased by humanitarian agencies and Congolese authorities, but the virus was still moving faster.

The warning comes as health authorities report more than 6,100 confirmed Ebola cases and about 2,950 deaths since the outbreak was declared on May 15. More than 5,000 infections have been recorded in Ituri Province, one of the main centres of transmission.

The outbreak has become the fastest-spreading Ebola epidemic recorded in the country and has placed severe pressure on health workers and medical facilities.

Fletcher said the international response must urgently accelerate if further deaths and wider regional transmission are to be prevented.

The situation is particularly difficult in eastern DRC, where armed conflict, population displacement and weak health infrastructure have complicated efforts to reach affected communities.

The virus is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people, as well as contaminated materials. This makes early identification and isolation essential for breaking transmission chains.

The United Nations has called for greater international support and resources to strengthen the response.

The outbreak has also expanded geographically, with new health zones reporting infections. Recent figures indicate that about 60 health zones are now affected, increasing concerns that the disease could spread further within the country.

Health authorities have urged communities to cooperate with response teams, report suspected cases quickly and follow infection-prevention measures.

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, a strain that has previously caused outbreaks in central and eastern Africa.

UN officials warned that delays in funding, staffing and deployment could make the outbreak more difficult and expensive to control.

They urged governments and international partners to provide immediate assistance, warning that every delay could result in additional infections and deaths.

Officials said urgent action was urgently needed to prevent further deterioration.

The UN maintained that the outbreak can still be contained if resources and personnel are rapidly expanded.