Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have recorded a notable breakthrough in the ongoing Ebola outbreak after five patients recovered from the disease and were discharged from hospital care.
Officials said the latest recoveries offer renewed hope in a crisis that has already claimed nearly 250 lives, stressing that survival is possible when infected individuals receive early diagnosis and prompt medical treatment. Health teams continue to urge residents to seek care immediately at the first sign of symptoms.
In Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province and the epicentre of the outbreak, a public ceremony was held on Sunday to honour four nurses who completed treatment and recovered from the virus.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who visited the city, described the recoveries as an encouraging sign that the outbreak can be contained with coordinated response measures.
One of the recovered health workers, nurse Etienne Ezo, shared the emotional strain of battling the disease, noting that at some point he and others feared they would not survive.
The first survivor in the current outbreak, a laboratory worker, had been discharged the previous week, reinforcing cautious optimism among health officials.
Healthcare workers remained particularly vulnerable due to their close contact with infected patients during treatment and care.
During the Bunia ceremony, Tedros paid tribute to medical personnel who lost their lives while responding to the outbreak and praised survivors for their resilience and willingness to return to duty despite the risks involved.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Institute of Public Health said the recoveries reflect progress in containment efforts, crediting early detection, improved treatment protocols, contact tracing, and community engagement.
Its director, Mwamba Kazadi, described the development as a significant victory, emphasizing that timely diagnosis and proper medical care are central to improving survival rates.
However, officials warned that challenges remain, particularly in ensuring cooperation from local communities.
Tedros noted reports of attacks on health facilities in some areas, linked to anger over strict Ebola burial protocols.
Under current guidelines, families are not permitted to handle the bodies of individuals suspected of dying from Ebola, a measure that has continued to clash with cultural burial traditions.
In a joint statement, the WHO and the Congolese government stressed that community trust and participation remain essential to ending the outbreak, adding that public cooperation is critical to breaking transmission chains.
They identified key ongoing challenges including early case detection, isolation of infected persons, contact tracing, safe burial practices, infection control in health facilities, and improved public awareness.
Authorities also urged residents to maintain preventive behaviours such as frequent handwashing, early hospital visits, and adherence to verified health guidance.
So far, more than 1,000 suspected Ebola cases have been recorded across the country, with at least 246 confirmed deaths linked to the outbreak.
Neighbouring Uganda has also reported nine confirmed cases and one death, raising concerns about cross-border transmission.
Despite the health crisis, life continues in parts of the affected region, with schools and markets in Bunia still operating as residents carry on daily activities.
The current outbreak, the 17th recorded in DR Congo, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine, although research efforts are ongoing.
Most cases have been reported in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces, while isolated infections have also been detected in Kampala, Uganda’s capital.
Health authorities outside Africa are monitoring the situation closely. In Brazil, officials in São Paulo state said they were investigating suspected Ebola cases.
Meanwhile, protests have erupted in the Kenyan town of Nanyuki over a proposed United States plan to establish an Ebola quarantine facility for American citizens at a local air base.
Demonstrators raised concerns about potential exposure risks, despite Kenya recording no confirmed cases.
A Kenyan court has since suspended the project pending a review of public safety concerns.
