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DRC Ebola Outbreak: Contact Tracing Below Target
9 Jun
Summary
- WHO reports 62% of contacts traced, missing 90-95% target.
- Attacks on burial teams and treatment centers hinder response.
- Bundibugyo Ebola strain has 550 confirmed cases and 101 deaths.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that efforts to trace contacts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to curb the ongoing Ebola outbreak are improving but remain below the critical target.
As of Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the WHO confirmed 550 cases of Ebola, with 101 fatalities, alongside 94 suspected cases. The Bundibugyo strain, announced on May 15, 2026, has proven difficult to control due to its undetected presence for weeks.
Dr. Abdi Mahamud of the WHO stated that only 62% of contacts have been traced, falling short of the desired 90-95% goal. He expressed that progress is slow but steady, emphasizing the importance of community trust for identifying and referring cases.
Mistrust and resistance from local populations have significantly obstructed response efforts. Attacks on burial teams and treatment centers have been reported, with a recent incident on Sunday injuring two people and damaging vehicles at the Nyamurongo cemetery in Bunia.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted the unevenness of contact tracing, with 78% success in Bunia but zero in some health zones. The WHO remains hopeful that increased community engagement will help achieve tracing targets in the coming weeks.
