By Peter Omopo
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued updated temporary recommendations to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as authorities intensify efforts to contain the ongoing outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD).
The updated measures followed the second meeting of the Emergency Committee on the outbreak, held on August 18, 2026, under the International Health Regulations (2005).
According to the WHO, the recommendations provide more detailed guidance on surveillance, case detection and investigation, infection prevention and control, clinical care, risk communication and community engagement.
They also introduce additional measures covering social restrictions, mass gatherings and domestic movement in areas affected by the outbreak.
The WHO said its Secretariat assessed the risk associated with the outbreak in the DRC as “Very high” as of August 14, 2026.
The outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), a member of the Orthoebolavirus genus. The WHO noted that, unlike Ebola virus disease caused by other Ebola viruses, there are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics specifically for BDBV, although clinical trials are ongoing.
The agency stressed that any effective BVD-specific vaccines or treatments developed would complement rather than replace established public health measures.
Under the updated recommendations, the DRC is expected to maintain the outbreak as a health emergency and strengthen its national emergency management structures, including an emergency operations centre and a unified national response plan.
The plan is expected to cover enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, case management, safe and dignified burials, continuity of essential health services, logistics and protection of healthcare workers.
The WHO also called for stronger community engagement, urging authorities to work with local and religious leaders, traditional healers, survivors and other trusted community representatives to improve public acceptance of health measures.
It recommended expanding surveillance and laboratory capacity through active case finding, investigation of alerts within 24 hours and increased access to decentralised RT-PCR testing.
Authorities were also advised to monitor contacts of confirmed and probable cases daily for 21 days following their last known exposure.
On social measures and domestic mobility, the WHO recommended postponing mass gatherings in areas experiencing community transmission of BDBV. Events in other areas should undergo specific risk assessments before proceeding.
The agency also recommended measures to reduce overcrowding in food and drink establishments and nightclubs, limit motorcycle passengers to one and support the safe reopening of schools.
In addition, 24-hour health checkpoints were recommended along roads connecting affected areas with locations considered at high risk of transmission. The WHO also called for surveillance of inland waterway vessels linking affected communities with major urban centres, including Kinshasa.
For international travel, the WHO advised stronger surveillance at border crossings and closer cooperation between the DRC and neighbouring countries to trace contacts who may have crossed international borders.
Suspected, probable and confirmed cases, as well as contacts based on their level of exposure, should be prevented from undertaking international travel except where medical evacuation is required.
The agency further recommended exit screening at airports, ports and land crossings, including exposure questionnaires, temperature checks and additional assessments for travellers presenting with fever.
The WHO urged authorities to strengthen infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities, maintain adequate supplies of personal protective equipment and provide healthcare workers with regular training and supervision.
It also recommended survivor follow-up programmes offering counselling, psychosocial support, clinical care, sexual health advice and stigma-reduction services.
The health agency called for further research into BDBV transmission patterns and the development of medical countermeasures, including candidate vaccines and therapeutics.
It urged the DRC to support ethically approved clinical trials and strengthen regulatory and ethics review systems to accelerate research into effective interventions.
The WHO said implementation of the recommendations must fully respect the dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals in line with the principles of the International Health Regulations.
The DRC is also expected to submit monthly reports to the WHO on implementation of the recommendations, including challenges encountered and gaps in the national response.
