Congo Defends Ebola Response as WHO Warns Contact Tracing Is Failing Amid Insecurity

Congo is seeking access to an experimental antibody treatment targeting multiple Ebola strains as confirmed infections and deaths continue climbing in the country’s conflict-hit east.Congo Seeks Experimental Ebola Antibody as Cases Surpass 1,000(Bloomberg) -- Congo is seeking access to an experimental antibody treatment targeting multiple Ebola strains as confirmed infections and deaths continue climbing in the country’s conflict-hit east.The Democratic Republic of Congo reported 121 confirmed Ebola cases and 17 confirmed deaths as of May 26, while suspected cases climbed to 1,077 and suspected deaths reached 238, according to health ministry figures released Wednesday. Sixteen new confirmed infections were recorded in Ituri province alone, the ministry said.Eastern Congo faces a “catastrophic collision” of war and disease as fighting and displacement accelerate the spread of Ebola and undermine efforts to isolate patients and trace contacts, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Wednesday, ahead of a planned visit to the country Thursday.“We cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling,” Tedros said in a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire.The outbreak is straining fragile health systems in eastern Congo, where violence, mass displacement and distrust of authorities have complicated efforts to contain the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Health officials acknowledged persistent operational problems including weak contact tracing, delays in laboratory results, shortages of protective equipment and delays in establishing isolation facilities.Congo formally requested access to an experimental monoclonal antibody developed in the US that has shown activity against the Zaire, Sudan and Bundibugyo strains of Ebola, Health Minister Roger Kamba said. The treatment would likely be evaluated through clinical trials involving confirmed patients.The Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or treatment. The WHO has warned the outbreak is spreading faster than responders can contain it after delayed detection allowed the virus to circulate across eastern Congo and into neighboring Uganda.The outbreak now spans 13 health zones across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, according to ministry data. New confirmed cases have also been reported in the North Kivu health zones of Oicha and Kalunguta, local health officials said.In a potentially encouraging sign, the first patient known to have recovered from the current outbreak had been discharged from hospital, local media reported, citing health officials in Ituri.Containment efforts continue to be hampered by insecurity and attacks on treatment facilities in outbreak areas. More than 15,500 travelers were screened at checkpoints and border-entry sites on May 26 alone, Congo’s health ministry said. To date, Kenya has screened more than 55,000 travelers at ports of entry and tested 10 suspected Ebola cases, all of which were negative, the country’s Ministry of Health said, as East African governments intensified surveillance measures across the region.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com©2026 Bloomberg L.P.Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. HomeNewsCongo Seeks Experimental Ebola Antibody as Cases Surpass 1,000More

The Trump administration is preparing a quarantine facility in Kenya for Americans exposed to Ebola amid the worsening outbreak in Congo. The WHO says cases have crossed 1,000, with the virus spreading across multiple provinces and through cross-border transmission.President Trump's administration is now planning to fly Americans who have been exposed to the Ebola virus to Kenya.(REUTERS)Amid the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Donald Trump's administration is preparing a quarantine facility in Congo for Americans who have been exposed to the virus, an official said on Wednesday (local time).NBC News reported that the decision to send Americans away is a departure from previous Ebola outbreaks, which often involved flying Americans exposed to the virus back to Washington for quarantine or treatment.Lawrence Gostin, the director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law, said the decision to quarantine Americans in Kenya is “unprecedented.”Gostin, in an email, wrote, "It is likely to cost American lives. We have an ethical duty to protect U.S. citizens, especially brave health and humanitarian workers who have cared for Ebola patients. It is impossible to give high-quality care to Ebola patients in Kenya, compared with our state-of-the-art facilities in the U.S.”During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration's top priority is to protect the people, and added, "We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States."US quarantine facility in KenyaAccording to the official, the Kenya quarantine facility is aimed at providing Americans access to care faster while avoiding lengthy medical evacuation flights, which can take over 12 hours.The official said the facility, created through a joint effort involving the Departments of State, Defense, and Health and Human Services, would be capable of treating the “full spectrum” of Ebola cases, including patients requiring intensive or critical care.The official added that patients needing more specialised treatment could still be transferred to other facilities on a case-by-case basis.“Time is of the essence for Ebola patients, and this facility will enable Americans in the region who contract Ebola to receive lifesaving care as quickly as possible,” the official said.Trump admin evacuates Americans from regionThe Trump administration has reportedly started evacuating Americans from the region. Earlier this month, Peter Stafford, an American doctor who contracted Ebola in Congo, was flown to a hospital in Germany, while his wife and four children, along with another doctor, Patrick LaRochelle, were sent to the Czech Republic for monitoring. Stafford, who was barely able to stand at one point and developed symptoms including chills and fever, is optimistic that he will recover, according to a statement released last week by Serge, the Christian missionary organisation where he works.CDC blocks US entry for non-US citizensThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also barred non-US citizens from entering the country if they have traveled to Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days. US citizens are exempt from the restriction but are being directed to designated airports for additional health screening.Ebola outbreakAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ebola outbreak in Congo has rapidly worsened, with cases climbing to over 1,000 and deaths surpassing the 200-mark.WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak in Ituri province was spreading in an environment where insecurity, attacks on health facilities, and population movements were making it “nearly impossible” to trace contacts and isolate cases.The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease, first identified in Uganda in 2007, has no approved vaccine or treatment. The WHO has warned that the outbreak continues to expand g

Authorities confirmed that a Ugandan woman quarantined in Bengaluru for suspected Ebola tested negative, averting South Asia's first case since 2014. India is enhancing screening at entry points and advising against non-essential travel to affected regions.Ebola Scare in Bengaluru: Ugandan National Tests Negative After Quarantine(REUTERS)The woman from Uganda who was quarantined in Bengaluru over a suspected Ebola infection has tested negative, authorities confirmed. Had the result come back positive, it would have marked South Asia’s first Ebola case since 2014The news comes a day after Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said India had not reported any cases of the disease, which the World Health Organisation has declared a public health emergency of international concern.The 28-year-old Ugandan national developed mild body ache, but is otherwise healthy, while results are awaited from tests of samples taken from her, added the source, who sought anonymity for lack of authorisation to speak to media.Domestic media said test results were expected within a day or two for the traveller, who arrived in the southern city from the western industrial city of Ahmedabad on her journey from the East African country.India has launched screening and surveillance measures at airports and other entry points, while issuing advisories on screening, quarantine, and other measures, Nadda said.It has already urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.Health ministry closely monitoring situationAmidst the recent surge in Ebola virus cases in several parts of Africa, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is closely monitoring the evolving situation, sources said.The Health Ministry, in coordination with the concerned State authorities, is maintaining close surveillance and all necessary public health protocols are being followed in accordance with WHO guidelines. At present, no case of Ebola virus disease has been confirmed in India.Meanwhile, Vijayawada's Government General Hospital Superintendent A Venkateswara Rao said preparations are underway to handle any possible Ebola-related emergency."At present, we started the Ebola ward with six to eight beds with all equipment... For the last two days, we have been organising awareness programmes for our staff nurses and sanitary workers... There is no recorded evidence of the Ebola infection with us. In future, depending upon the severity of the problem, we'll modify our arrangements... We are ready with oxygen, ventilators and everything. We are ready to tackle Ebola infection," said Rao.The WHO has confirmed 101 cases among more than 900 globally suspected of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment.Get Latest real-time updatesStay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. HomeNewsIndiaEbola update: Ugandan woman quarantined in Bengaluru tests negativeMore

Ebola is spreading faster in Democratic Republic of Congo than responders can contain it, the World Health Organization warned, as suspected deaths climbed above 220 and treatment centers came under attack in the country’s conflict-hit east.WHO Says Congo Ebola Outbreak Is ‘Outpacing’ Responders as Patients Flee Clinics(Bloomberg) -- Ebola is spreading faster in Democratic Republic of Congo than responders can contain it, the World Health Organization warned, as suspected deaths climbed above 220 and treatment centers came under attack in the country’s conflict-hit east.Congo has reported 101 confirmed Ebola infections, 930 suspected cases and 221 suspected deaths, according to health ministry data released late Monday. More than 2,200 contacts have now been identified across 11 affected health zones spanning the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.“We are now playing catch-up with a very fast-moving epidemic,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday during a virtual briefing of African health ministers. “At the moment, the epidemic is outpacing us.”The outbreak is increasingly exposing the strain on public health systems in eastern Congo, where armed conflict, mass displacement and distrust of authorities are complicating efforts to isolate patients and trace infections. Health officials have warned that attacks on hospitals and unsafe burials are accelerating transmission.At least 25 Ebola patients fled treatment facilities in Ituri over the weekend after isolation tents were burned and hospitals were attacked by crowds demanding the release of bodies for burial, Reuters reported, citing local hospital officials. One confirmed Ebola patient remained at large in the community, the news agency said.The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments. WHO officials are now discussing experimental vaccines and clinical trials involving antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies.American surgeon Peter Stafford — who was infected with Bundibugyo Ebola while working in Congo — was transferred to a high-security isolation unit in Berlin, where his wife and four children are being held in quarantine after exposure, Germany’s Charité hospital said Monday. He was severely weakened but not critically ill, the hospital said.Uganda has reported seven confirmed Ebola cases linked to the outbreak, including several health workers.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com©2026 Bloomberg L.P.Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. HomeNewsWHO Says Congo Ebola Outbreak Is ‘Outpacing’ Responders as Patients Flee ClinicsMore

Delhi endured another scorching day on Thursday, as the city experienced its hottest May night in almost 14 years. Heatwave conditions continued for the fourth straight day in several areas.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Safdarjung, Delhi’s primary weather station, recorded a minimum temperature of 31.9°C — 5.2 degrees above normal and 3.6 degrees higher than the previous day. Meanwhile, temperatures in some parts of the city remained above 45°C.The last time Delhi recorded a higher minimum temperature in May was on May 26, 2012, when the mercury settled at 32.5 degrees Celsius, according to IMD data.IMD issues Orange Alert for FridayFor Friday, the weather department issued an orange alert for the city, forecasting a minimum temperature of 32°C and a maximum of 44°C, along with heatwave conditions.An official said the heatwave is likely to persist for the next week and advised residents to stay cautious, as the extended dry spell and extreme temperatures could greatly raise the risk of heat-related illnesses and sunstroke.Safdarjung and Lodi Road were among the stations that recorded warm night conditions, the weather office said, as reported by PTI.View full ImageNew Delhi: Visitors at the India Gate on a hot summer day, in New Delhi, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Delhi experienced a warm Wednesday morning as the minimum temperature settled at 28.3 degrees Celsius while the weather office issued an 'orange' alert for heatwave conditions, with isolated places in the city likely to reel under intense heat during the day. (PTI Photo/Salman Ali) (PTI)A warm night is declared when the maximum temperature remains 40 degrees Celsius or more and the minimum temperature departure is between 4.5 and 6.4 degrees Celsius above normal, according to the IMD.Heatwave conditions prevailed in several parts of Delhi, making it the fourth straight day that the national capital has experienced such extreme weather.No respite from heat, says IMDAccording to the IMD, the heatwave is expected to persist in Delhi over the next seven days due to dry northwesterly and westerly winds in the lower troposphere, along with the absence of any western disturbance impacting the plains of northwest India.Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 43.6 degrees Celsius, 3.4 notches above normal and 0.9 degrees lower than the previous day.With 45.3 degrees Celsius, Ridge recorded the highest maximum temperature in the city, 3.1 notches above normal with a decline of 0.5 degrees, while Ayanagar recorded 44.5 degrees Celsius, 2.2 notches above normal and 0.5 degrees lower than the previous dayPalam logged a maximum temperature of 44.3 degrees Celsius, 3.6 notches above normal with a 24-hour decline of 0.6 degrees, while Lodi Road recorded 44.3 degrees Celsius, 5.3 notches above normal and 0.3 degrees lower than the previous day.On the minimum temperature front, Palam recorded 30.5 degrees Celsius, 3.4 notches above normal and two degrees higher than the previous day, while Ridge recorded 30.6 degrees Celsius, 4.4 notches above normal with a 24-hour rise of 2.6 degrees.Lodi Road registered a minimum temperature of 29.6 degrees Celsius, 4.6 notches above normal and 2.8 degrees higher than the previous day, while Ayanagar recorded 27.4 degrees Celsius, 0.7 notch above normal with a rise of 0.4 degrees.What is heatwave? IMD says…According to the IMD, a heatwave is observed when the maximum temperature crosses 40 degrees Celsius and remains 4.5 to 6.4 degrees above normal."Heatwave conditions are expected to continue for the next one week. The northwesterly winds are sweeping into the national capital from the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan and parts of central Pakistan for the past few days. Travelling across vast arid stretches, these winds turn intensely dry by the time they reach Delhi, trapping heat close to the surface and sharply intensifying the searing conditions across the city," said Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather.Palawat said night