In recent weeks, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda have confirmed new deaths linked to an Ebola outbreak which, according to initial reports, may have gone undetected for almost a month. The first fatal case is believed to date back to the end of April and involved a healthcare worker - a particularly alarming development, as it suggests that the virus may have spread silently before health alerts were activated.
One of the main challenges concerns diagnosis. The detection systems in the area were primarily designed to identify the Ebola Zaire variant, whereas the strain currently suspected is the Bundibugyo. There are no approved vaccines or treatments for this variant, and testing capacity remains very limited in the face of a potentially expanding outbreak.
The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern, citing the lack of specific countermeasures for this strain, confirmed human-to-human transmission, limited epidemiological surveillance, and insecurity in the affected areas.
The case in Goma changes the regional picture
The situation has taken on a new dimension with the confirmation of a case in Goma, the capital of North Kivu and a major commercial hub between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries. The infected woman is believed to have contracted the virus from her husband, who died in Ituri province, several days’ travel away by road.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected or deceased individuals, but infection can also occur through contaminated surfaces or objects, such as clothing, bed linen, or medical equipment that has not been properly sterilised.
Among the most critical aspects of outbreak management are the care of patients and traditional funeral practices. Anyone who comes into contact with infected individuals without adequate protective equipment, or who participates in the preparation of bodies for burial, may face a very high risk of infection.
Adding to the concern is the fact that Goma is not an isolated city. It is a strategic transit point for people, goods, and humanitarian aid, significantly increasing the risk of regional spread.
WeWorld’s work
Responding to an Ebola outbreak in this region remains particularly complex. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing one of the most severe and protracted humanitarian crises in the world: years of armed conflict, internal displacement, and repeated waves of violence have devastated communities and significantly increased urgent needs. It is currently estimated that over 21 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance.
WeWorld is present in Goma and South Kivu with humanitarian intervention programmes. The confirmation of the case in the city has led to an immediate strengthening of internal safety and prevention measures, including daily monitoring of the situation, updates to health protocols, staff training, and increased vigilance regarding movements between high-risk areas.
In the East of the country, internally displaced people often live in overcrowded camps with limited sanitation and without access to safe water. Insecurity and lack of resources further hinder humanitarian action, while health infrastructure and community water systems remain severely compromised.
In this context, WeWorld is committed to restoring and strengthening essential WASH services, which are vital for public health. However, in some communities there remains deep mistrust towards international institutions and organisations. In addition, certain traditional funeral or healing practices can hinder prevention efforts if not accompanied by continuous and respectful awareness-raising.
For this reason, prevention also depends on engagement with communities: the dissemination of accurate information, active listening, and the building of trust are essential to counter stigma and misinformation.
Ebola is not a crisis confined to a single territory; it moves with people, crosses borders, and follows the daily routes of life, trade, and migration. For this reason, the response cannot be fragmented. It requires coordination among stakeholders in strengthening local health systems as well as sustained engagement with the local communities.
In this context, WeWorld’s presence on the ground means not only operational response, but also close proximity to the people experiencing the emergency every day.