The World Health Organization (WHO) has flown in 12 tonnes of urgent medical supplies and equipment to DR Congo. This is to boost efforts against the latest Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In an update posted by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, the agency confirmed that the consignment left its Emergency Preparedness hub in Nairobi. The shipment carries protective clothing for 120 frontline health personnel for a month. Along with patient isolation units, water treatment kits, and sanitation essentials. These resources aim to protect health workers and improve infection control in Kasai Province, where new cases have been reported.
In parallel, teams from WHO, the DRC Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare. Also the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have started receiving preventive Ebola vaccinations ahead of deployment. Authorities noted that the country currently has 2,000 vaccine doses in stock and is arranging for more to strengthen its immunization campaign.
As of September 5, health officials had recorded 28 suspected infections and 16 fatalities, including four among healthcare staff.
The DRC has a long history with Ebola. Its most recent outbreak in Equateur Province in 2022 was contained within three months. Kasai previously faced outbreaks in 2007 and 2008. Since the virus was first identified in 1976, the country has endured 15 separate epidemics.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has stepped up surveillance at borders and airports to block potential importation of the disease. To scale up regional response, WHO also released $500,000 from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies. Underscoring its determination to bring the outbreak under control swiftly.
