DRC president to visit Ebola-hit Ituri amid rising death toll

In a decisive move to curb the escalating Ebola crisis, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has announced plans for an upcoming visit to Ituri, a northeastern province at the epicenter of the latest outbreak. The declaration came as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) surpasses 1,000 confirmed cases and 267 fatalities since the epidemic was officially declared on May 15. Health officials and humanitarian organizations warn the true toll may be even higher.

This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC, a nation already grappling with extreme poverty and persistent armed conflict in the region. The current strain, Bundibugyo ebolavirus, poses a unique challenge as no vaccines or treatments exist for this variant, unlike the more common Zaire ebolavirus that has driven previous crises. To date, the virus has spread across three eastern provinces, with neighboring Uganda reporting 20 cases and two deaths.

President Tshisekedi pledges direct oversight

“My commitment is absolute,” President Tshisekedi stated during an official meeting in Kinshasa with Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye. “I will personally oversee the response in Ituri, where the outbreak is most severe.” While no specific date has been set for the visit, the announcement signals a shift toward hands-on leadership in addressing the crisis.

The emergency response relies heavily on isolating infected patients and tracking contacts, yet healthcare infrastructure in Ituri remains critically under-resourced. More than a month after the outbreak’s declaration, local hospitals still face shortages of essential supplies, including protective gear and chlorine. Treatment centers established in recent weeks with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and NGOs are operating at over 80% capacity, according to health authorities.

International agencies warn of underestimated toll

Despite official reports, international aid groups on the ground argue the situation is far graver than documented. They caution that the epidemic has not yet peaked and could persist for six to twelve months. The virus transmits through direct contact with bodily fluids, complicating containment efforts in areas plagued by insecurity and population displacement.