IOM
Seventy-one confirmed Ebola cases have been identified since the start of the outbreak through surveillance points supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as continued transmission, displacement and a USD 59.8 regional funding shortfall threaten efforts to contain the outbreak. Nearly half of this funding gap is concentrated in the DRC, raising concerns about the ability to sustain critical oversight and preparedness efforts across the region.
"Ebola screening cannot stop at hospitals or official border crossings," said Frantz Celestin, IOM Regional Director for East, Horn and Southern Africa. "People need timely access to health information and services wherever they live and travel, including displacement sites and remote border communities. Sustaining these efforts is essential to detecting cases early and limiting further transmission."
The 71 initial alerts were identified at points of entry and control since the outbreak began, according to IOM's latest report . Surveillance at displacement sites identified three confirmed Ebola cases between 26 October and 1 November 2026, highlighting the importance of extending surveillance beyond formal border crossings. According to WHO, 10,467 confirmed cases and 5,103 deaths had been reported across 67 health zones in eight provinces as of 31 October.
The outbreak continues to affect communities in eastern DRC, with imported cases also reported in Kenya and Nigeria raising concerns about transmission along cross-border routes.
Insecurity and continued displacement are complicating efforts to reach affected communities and maintain oversight. IOM supports 67 displacement sites in the DRC, including 50 in health zones affected by the outbreak, while working with national authorities to strengthen early detection, health screening and referral systems.
To identify potential gaps in monitoring, IOM is mapping population movements along key travel routes and informal border crossings. In DRC's Tshopo Province, assessments identified 19 strategic river locations where additional surveillance points may be needed.
Similar efforts are underway in neighbouring countries. In Uganda's Kasese District, population mobility mapping identified 17 priority points of entry, including 13 informal crossings, helping authorities determine where to strengthen screening and surveillance. In Kenya, where nine confirmed cases had been reported as of 26 October, IOM is supporting preparedness at 22 points of entry. In South Sudan, IOM continued monitoring population movements at 12 border locations with DRC and Uganda.
IOM is supporting national health authorities across affected and at-risk countries to strengthen early detection, health screening, referral systems and community engagement, particularly along routes used for cross-border trade, travel and displacement.
However, funding shortages threaten the continuity of these activities. Of the USD 110 million requested under IOM's multi-country Ebola preparedness and response plan, USD 50.2 million had been received during the latest reporting period, leaving a regional funding gap of USD 59.8 million.
The current response plan covers June to March 2027, but critical preparedness and response needs to extend beyond that period. Additional flexible funding is required to maintain disease surveillance, support frontline workers and strengthen early detection and referral systems across affected and at-risk countries.
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
