The ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has raised urgent public health concerns, with the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warning that the violence could lead to a major pandemic. Jean Kaseya, the CDC’s director, called for an immediate end to the “unnecessary war” in the region, emphasizing that continued fighting could exacerbate existing health threats and overwhelm an already fragile healthcare system.
Kaseya’s warning comes amid rising tensions as the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, advances through eastern DRC. The conflict has displaced millions, adding to the strain on a region that has already seen outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Ebola and mpox. M23 forces recently captured large parts of Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and have moved into neighboring South Kivu, heightening fears of a potential health crisis.
In a statement, Kaseya urged both African and international leaders to act swiftly to halt the conflict, which he said could result in “serious public health issues.” He highlighted Goma’s vulnerability, a densely populated city of three million people, including over a million displaced individuals, where basic services such as electricity, food, water, and medical supplies are in short supply.
“Goma is at risk of becoming a hub for disease transmission,” Kaseya warned, explaining that the region’s displacement crisis, combined with damaged health infrastructure, creates the perfect conditions for outbreaks of infectious diseases.
In addition to the immediate threat posed by the violence, Kaseya confirmed 12 suspected cases of Ebola in DRC, shortly after Uganda announced a new outbreak. Testing is still underway to determine if the virus has spread further within DRC’s borders.
The situation in DRC’s eastern provinces also presents a growing threat from mpox, previously known as monkeypox. This year alone, Africa CDC has reported more than 2,000 confirmed cases of the virus across 12 African nations. The variant currently spreading, clade 1b, was first detected in South Kivu in 2023, and has now reached several countries globally. Mpox, which can be transmitted both from animals to humans and from human to human through close contact, causes fever, muscle aches, and distinctive skin lesions.
With hospitals overwhelmed and infrastructure in ruins, Kaseya warned that the conflict could push the region into a full-blown health emergency. “What is happening in Goma could lead to a chaotic situation that might even result in a major pandemic,” he said.
As fighting continues, international aid efforts are being hampered by both logistical challenges and the insecurity that blankets much of eastern DRC. Experts are calling for immediate measures to restore stability and protect the health of millions who are already facing the dual burden of conflict and disease.