Daijiworld Media Network - United Nations

United Nations, Jul 10: The United Nations has called for urgent international action to contain the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), warning that continued conflict and large-scale population movement are accelerating the spread of the deadly virus.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said the global response must be intensified to prevent the outbreak from escalating further.

"We need to act much faster to bring the Ebola outbreak under control in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," Fletcher said in a statement issued on Thursday.

He noted that Ituri province remains the epicentre of the outbreak but cautioned that infections are spreading to other provinces, where insecurity and frequent movement of people are increasing the risk of wider transmission.

According to Fletcher, more than 1,700 people have been infected and over 600 have died in the DRC since the outbreak was officially declared on May 15. He also confirmed that neighbouring Uganda has reported 20 cases, raising concerns about cross-border transmission.

Speaking in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, DRC Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba described the outbreak as remaining in a "very active" phase.

He said it was still too early to predict when infections would peak, citing factors such as high population density, constant migration and challenges in securing community participation in disease-control efforts.

Fletcher stressed that the Ebola crisis is unfolding alongside an already severe humanitarian emergency, with millions of people in eastern DRC struggling with armed conflict, food insecurity, displacement and inadequate healthcare services even before the outbreak began.

He said the United Nations was expanding its Ebola response and urged governments, humanitarian organisations and international partners to match that urgency.

The UN official appealed to all parties to ensure safe and uninterrupted access for humanitarian workers, medical teams and essential supplies. He also called for border crossings and key supply routes to remain open to facilitate relief operations.

Fletcher further urged donor countries to rapidly release pledged financial assistance, emphasising that both the Ebola response and broader humanitarian programmes require sustained funding to support vulnerable communities.

According to the latest update released on Thursday by the DRC's Ministry of Communications and Media, the country has recorded 1,792 confirmed Ebola cases, including 625 deaths. At present, 764 patients remain in isolation or hospital care, while 295 people have recovered. The outbreak's case fatality rate currently stands at 34.1 per cent.