Clear safeguards and human and financial resources are urgently needed to avoid further spread of Ebola and poor treatment outcomes for both people living with HIV and people affected by Ebola. Drawing on its extensive experience in coordinating the global HIV response, UNAIDS can provide valuable lessons to inform ongoing efforts in pandemic preparedness and response, including measures to curb the spread of Ebola and HIV. The organization believes that strengthening collaboration with communities in Ebola-affected areas of the two provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be critical in saving lives and reducing further transmission of the virus.
Since the declaration of the 17th Ebola Epidemic on 15 May 2026 in the DRC, suspected and confirmed cases have increased rapidly. Community networks in Ituri are reporting an unusual surge in deaths among people living with HIV and fear of Ebola transmission is affecting access to essential HIV services. Attendance at treatment centers and community antiretroviral treatment distribution points is decreasing in affected areas. For example, one community distribution point in Bunia is already reporting a 42% drop in attendance.
"This current Ebola outbreak in the DRC is a decisive reminder of how the most vulnerable are affected by pandemics," said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. "The world must come together in a united effort to stop the outbreak from spreading further and to end the inequalities that fuel these pandemics."
Immunocompromised individuals, including people living with HIV, face increased vulnerability to severe outcomes if infected with the Ebola virus. UNAIDS is working with partners in the DRC to support a more integrated and coordinated outbreak response, strengthen infection prevention and control measures, and to keep a strong focus on the continuity of HIV services.
Community engagement is critical to reach people with clear and accurate information about how to protect themselves and how to access health services. In the response to HIV, communities have successfully improved health outcomes for people living with and affected by HIV, provided health services and mobilized demand for services. They can also reach people in remote areas and have the trust of people in communities which is why they will be critical in the response to Ebola.
UNAIDS is working with partners to promote the safe organization and delivery of services, strengthen contact tracing, and enhance the communication of clear and accurate information alongside community engagement strategies. UNAIDS acknowledges increased global financial pledges by countries to bolster the Ebola response and urges donors and partners to increase their solidarity to strengthen both the response to Ebola and HIV in the DRC.
The current Ebola outbreak in North-Eastern DRC is spreading rapidly. The current Ebola outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo virus, for which there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics, unlike the previous outbreaks in the continent driven by the Zaire virus.
"The world must move swiftly through solidarity, including supporting affected countries with the much-needed human and financial resources, to influence the course of this outbreak." said Ms Byanyima.
The current Ebola outbreak is concentrated in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, which are struggling with years of conflict and intensified fighting. Ongoing insecurity, combined with high population mobility linked to mining activities and cross-border trade, increases the risk of transmission and complicates response efforts. The conflict has recently displaced about 100 000 people. Around 4 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, while 10 million face hunger according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by WHO. The organisation has assessed the risk of further spread of Ebola as high in the DRC and the region, and low at global level. Eight cases have been reported in Uganda, where the situation is under close monitoring with measures in place including contact tracing, case monitoring and care.
Regional coordination is being strengthened, with neighboring countries enhancing surveillance, cross-border data sharing and joint response measures supported by Africa CDC through strengthened regional coordination and rapid response efforts.
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations-UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank-and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org
