The World Health Organization (WHO) announced it will convene an emergency committee meeting as the death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo rose to 131. Health officials are assessing whether the situation should be classified as a public health emergency of international concern, the organisation’s highest level of alert.
Authorities said the outbreak has continued spreading despite containment efforts, raising fears among international health agencies about cross-border transmission and pressure on already strained healthcare systems. Medical teams have been working to trace contacts, isolate infected patients and expand vaccination campaigns in affected regions.
WHO officials warned that limited healthcare infrastructure, public distrust and difficulties reaching remote communities are complicating efforts to control the virus. Previous Ebola outbreaks have shown how quickly infections can escalate when early containment measures fail.
Governments in neighbouring countries have increased border monitoring and public health surveillance as officials attempt to prevent wider regional spread. Health experts continue urging international cooperation and funding support to help contain the outbreak before conditions worsen further.
