Kenya and neighbouring East African countries are on heightened alert following a sharp rise in Ebola-related deaths in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as health authorities race to contain the fast-spreading outbreak.
According to Congolese health officials, the death toll linked to the outbreak has climbed to 131 after 26 additional suspected deaths were recorded within 24 hours.
The outbreak has so far resulted in 543 suspected cases and 33 confirmed infections in the DRC, while neighbouring Uganda has confirmed two Ebola cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the speed and scale of the outbreak, particularly because it spread undetected for several weeks in densely populated and conflict-affected areas of eastern Congo.
WHO Raises International Alarm
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, citing fears that the virus could spread further across borders if not urgently contained.
“I’m deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic,” Tedros said during the World Health Assembly in Geneva.
Health experts say the outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or virus-specific treatment.
The WHO noted that limited testing capacity in affected regions has slowed efforts to identify and isolate infections quickly.
Border Monitoring Intensifies in East Africa
The outbreak has triggered tighter health surveillance measures across the region.
Ugandan authorities have reportedly restricted movement through parts of the Ishasha-Kyeshero border crossing near the DRC, while additional screening measures have been introduced in several neighbouring countries.
Although Kenyan authorities have not announced border closures, health experts warn that increased regional travel and trade raise the risk of cross-border transmission if surveillance weakens.
Kenya previously strengthened disease surveillance systems following earlier Ebola outbreaks in West and Central Africa.
Fear of Wider Regional Spread
The latest outbreak has revived memories of the devastating 2018–2020 Ebola epidemic in eastern Congo that killed nearly 2,300 people.
Medical experts warn that ongoing armed conflict, population displacement, and weak healthcare systems in parts of eastern DRC could make containment more difficult.
The WHO has advised countries against fully closing borders, arguing that such measures could encourage unmonitored crossings and complicate disease tracking efforts.
What is Ebola?
Ebola is a severe viral disease that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected people or animals.
According to the WHO, the virus has an average fatality rate of around 50 percent, although some outbreaks have recorded even higher death rates.
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
Health experts say early detection, isolation, and contact tracing remain the most effective tools for limiting outbreaks.
Global Response Underway
International health agencies are now mobilising resources to contain the outbreak.
The United States has announced emergency funding to support treatment and response efforts, while scientists are exploring possible vaccine and treatment options for the Bundibugyo strain.
WHO experts are also meeting to evaluate vaccine candidates that could help slow the spread of infections in affected areas.
Health officials across East Africa continue to urge the public to remain vigilant, avoid misinformation, and report suspected symptoms immediately.
