DR Congo – Children account for more than a quarter of confirmed Ebola infections and approximately one-third of deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighting the toll of the outbreak on younger populations.
The figures were disclosed on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during a WHO press briefing, where health officials expressed concern about the number of children affected despite ongoing efforts to strengthen outbreak surveillance, diagnosis and treatment. The WHO Regional Emergency Director for Africa, Dr Marie Roseline Belizaire, said response teams had expanded diagnostic laboratory capacity and initiated clinical trials involving two vaccine candidates targeting the Bundibugyo virus.
However, she identified limited access to timely healthcare and a lack of community trust as major obstacles to controlling transmission. “We have the tools and the expertise, but they cannot stop transmission if people cannot access them or do not trust the response,” Belizaire said.
She stressed the importance of encouraging people in affected communities to seek medical attention early and building confidence in public health interventions. To improve access and cooperation, health agencies are strengthening engagement with traditional healers and private healthcare providers, who often serve as the first point of contact for families dealing with illness.
Community outreach is also being intensified in areas identified as resistant hotspots, including Mandima and Mambasa. WHO has called on international donors to provide flexible and sustained funding through 2027, warning that worsening humanitarian needs and population displacement could increase the risk of the outbreak spreading into new areas.
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