The World Health Organisation’s director-general touched down in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday as the country battles a spiralling Ebola outbreak that has already claimed hundreds of lives. The crisis has placed British aid workers on standby, with the UK government poised to deploy medical teams if requested.
The outbreak, centred in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, has seen over 2,500 cases and 1,700 deaths since August 2018, making it the second-worst in history. But the situation has worsened in recent weeks, with more than 100 new cases reported in the last fortnight alone. Violence between armed groups, community mistrust, and a lack of access to affected areas have hampered containment efforts.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief, visited the epicentre of Butembo to assess the response and push for greater international support. “We are at a critical juncture,” he said. “The outbreak is not under control, and we need more resources and cooperation to stop it.”
Downing Street confirmed that the UK’s Emergency Medical Team, which includes doctors, nurses, and logisticians, is on standby to deploy. A Department for International Development spokesperson said: “We are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to provide further assistance if needed.” The UK has already contributed £50 million to the Ebola response, funding treatment centres and community engagement programmes.
But on the ground, health workers are overwhelmed. “We are exhausted,” said Dr Mireille Kasongo, a physician at a clinic in Butembo. “Every day we see more patients, and we don’t have enough beds or protective equipment. The fear is real. People are dying because they don’t trust us.”
That mistrust is one of the biggest obstacles. Many locals believe the disease is a hoax or the result of foreign interference. Attacks on health facilities have forced aid groups to scale back operations. Médecins Sans Frontières temporarily suspended its work in the region after a deadly attack on its base in November.
The outbreak has also crossed borders, with cases confirmed in neighbouring Uganda and South Sudan. The WHO has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, a rare designation that unlocks additional funding and coordination.
For British aid workers, the reality of a potential deployment is daunting. “We know the risks,” said John Nkengasong, a UK-based nurse who served in the 2014 West Africa outbreak. “But you can’t turn your back on people who are dying. We have the skills to help, and we will go if asked.”
The government is expected to make a decision on deployment within days. For now, the focus remains on containment. But with cases accelerating, time is running out.
