Beijing, China – China has dispatched a team of medical experts to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to help combat a growing Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. The deployment comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026.

The five-member expert team left Beijing on June 2 and is accompanied by emergency humanitarian aid. Their mission is to support local authorities in prevention, treatment, training, and outbreak containment efforts.

The outbreak, centered in the DRC's Ituri Province, has already spread across the border into Uganda. Health authorities have reported more than 300 confirmed cases and dozens of deaths, while additional suspected infections remain under investigation. The response has been complicated by insecurity in conflict-affected regions, population movement linked to mining activities, and cross-border transmission.

A major challenge facing health officials is the absence of approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, making prevention and rapid response critical.

China's latest intervention reflects its longstanding commitment to healthcare cooperation in Africa. During the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola crisis, China provided more than $123 million in assistance, deployed over 1,200 medical personnel, built treatment facilities, and established a biosafety laboratory. Similar support was also provided during later Ebola outbreaks in the DRC.

China-Africa medical cooperation dates back more than 60 years, beginning with China's first medical mission to Algeria in 1963. Since then, tens of thousands of Chinese healthcare workers have served across Africa, helping build hospitals, establish disease-control programs, train local professionals, and provide medical care to millions of people.

In recent years, cooperation has expanded to include public health surveillance, pandemic preparedness, and partnerships with organizations such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Chinese officials say the current Ebola response aims not only to provide immediate medical assistance but also to strengthen long-term health resilience in the region. Working alongside Congolese authorities, the African Union, and international partners, the medical team is expected to play a key role in containing the outbreak and supporting vulnerable communities.

As Central Africa faces another major public health challenge, China's rapid response highlights the growing importance of China-Africa health partnerships in addressing emerging infectious diseases and strengthening healthcare systems across the continent.