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Urge Inside Health Desk | East Africa. Urge- DevWire
Africa CDC Warns DRC Ebola Outbreak Could Become Continent’s Worst
Bujumbura | 16 June 2026
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo could become the most severe Ebola outbreak the continent has experienced if transmission is not brought under control quickly.
Speaking during a virtual meeting of African Heads of State on 16 June, Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya said tens of thousands of people potentially exposed to the virus had not yet been traced, creating significant challenges for containment efforts.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, has continued to expand in eastern DRC despite ongoing response efforts by national authorities, the World Health Organization, Africa CDC and humanitarian partners.
According to Africa CDC, gaps in contact tracing, delayed case detection, insecurity in affected areas and limited access to health services are complicating efforts to interrupt transmission chains.
The warning comes as neighbouring countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Kenya, continue to strengthen surveillance, border screening and emergency preparedness measures to reduce the risk of cross-border spread.
Africa CDC and WHO launched a joint continental preparedness and response plan earlier this month aimed at supporting outbreak control in affected countries while helping neighbouring states strengthen readiness.
Source: Africa CDC; World Health Organization
Published: 16 June 2026
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