DRC neighbors boost preparedness as Ebola cases surge

Published 20 July 2026 · health

Uganda, Rwanda and Zambia are strengthening border screening, disease surveillance and emergency response measures. The growing Ebola outbreak in the DRC is raising concerns about

Uganda, Rwanda and Zambia are strengthening border screening, disease surveillance and emergency response measures. The growing Ebola outbreak in the DRC is raising concerns about cross-border spread. Countries bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have stepped up screening at border crossings, trained frontline health workers, and activated emergency plans to reduce the risk of imported cases as the DRC battles a growing Ebola outbreak. The country's health ministry said on Monday that at least 930 people have died due to the illness. The country has recorded 2,344 cases of the Bundibugyo strain. The outbreak, which started on May 15, 2026, is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned that the number of cases could be 2-4 times higher than what is known. In Zambia, authorities have stepped up screening at points of entry despite recording no confirmed Ebola cases. Dr. Naeem Dalal, assistant director for preparedness and response at the Zambia Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), told DW that infection prevention measures had been reinforced nationwide. The Ebola survivors of DR Congo To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "Infection prevention and control is currently being activated, where a lot of disinfection will be taking place, and face masks and washing of hands with soap and water will become mandatory," Dalal said. He added that provincial public health emergency response centers had been activated to coordinate a rapid response if suspected cases are detected.

Uganda, which has successfully contained previous Ebola outbreaks, has also increased surveillance along its border with the DRC. Speaking on Uganda Television, Dr. Beda Senkware of Kabale Referral Hospital said three western districts remain particularly vulnerable. "The risk of getting this disease, Ebola, is very high. We have three districts that border the DRC — Kisoro, Kanungu and Rukungiri. These three districts have been put at the highest risk of getting Ebola," Senkware said. The WHO and the Africa CDC have urged neighboring DRC countries to remain vigilant Image: Hajarah Nalwadda/AP Photo/picture alliance Rwanda has likewise strengthened health screening at border crossings, expanded disease surveillance and prepared rapid response teams to investigate suspected cases. The East African Community's response to Ebola Regional cooperation is also increasing. The East African Community (EAC) has agreed on a coordinated response to improve preparedness and reduce the risk of cross-border transmission. EAC Secretary General Stephen Mbundi said partner states are working with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to expand surveillance, laboratory testing and emergency response capacity. "We are mobilizing regional mechanisms and working closely with Partner States, Africa CDC, WHO and development partners to strengthen surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, risk communication and rapid response capacities," Mbundi emphasized. The heightened preparedness follows a warning from the WHO that the outbreak may be significantly larger than official figures indicate because many infections are going undetected in conflict-affected areas of eastern DRC.