Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called for an urgent scale-up of the international medical response as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread rapidly, with nearly 2,000 confirmed cases and more than 700 deaths within two months.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has become the fastest-growing and third-largest Ebola outbreak on record in the DRC. MSF warned that overstretched healthcare services, limited surveillance capacity, and delayed access to treatment are allowing the virus to spread into new areas.

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The humanitarian organization is urging health authorities and international partners to strengthen surveillance, testing, patient care, community engagement, safe burials, and survivor support, while ensuring essential healthcare services continue amid ongoing conflict, displacement, cholera, and malaria outbreaks.

“Since MSF started our Ebola response activities, we have treated 57 survivors, but more than 110 patients have died. Increased national and international resources would help prevent further transmission and loss of life.” said, Ayokunnu Raji, medical doctor and MSF medical program manager.

“Only a robust, adequately resourced medical response that truly reflects the scale of needs on the ground can prevent this outbreak from becoming a crisis beyond our ability to contain.” said, Trish Newport, MSF emergency program manager.

MSF currently operates seven Ebola Treatment Centres and more than 15 isolation units across affected provinces, supporting the Ministry of Health with treatment, surveillance, infection prevention, healthcare worker training, and medical supplies. The organization stressed that stronger international support is essential to contain the outbreak and prevent further loss of life.

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