Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is putting essential health services under pressure, with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warning that premature de-escalation of the response could reverse gains made in controlling transmission.
The warning followed a review on Thursday by the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group of epidemiological, operational and scientific evidence from affected areas.
The group said Ebola transmission remained active in parts of the country, with some health zones in North Kivu recording increases despite improvements in areas such as Ituri.
Scientists also raised concern over disruptions to immunisation, maternal and child health services, antenatal care, nutrition and other primary healthcare services.
They called for the urgent restoration of essential services alongside stronger surveillance and contact tracing, particularly in areas where transmission has re-emerged.
The group said deaths occurring within communities remained a major concern, accounting for about 60 per cent of reported Ebola deaths.
It urged health authorities and response partners to improve early detection, referral and access to treatment while strengthening community participation in decisions on surveillance, treatment and vaccination.
“The evidence gives us grounds for cautious optimism, but it does not yet show consistent control across all affected areas. The response must remain at full intensity, with urgent attention to community deaths, complete contact identification and rapid action wherever transmission reemerges,” said Prof Salim Abdool Karim, Chair of the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group.
“Sustained interruption of transmission has to be demonstrated before de-escalation is considered,” he added.
Africa CDC Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, said the agency would maintain the continental emergency designation and continue working with the Congolese government, communities and partners to strengthen the response.
“The recommendation is clear: maintain the PHECS, consolidate the gains and close the gaps that continue to cost lives,” Kaseya said.
He said the response would focus on surveillance, contact tracing, restoring essential health services and generating further evidence on vaccination.
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Mirian Gom 
Korede Abdullah 
