The UN World Health Organisation says an American national confirmed to have tested positive for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been transferred to Germany for treatment.

The American doctor, who was working in the DRC with a medical missionary group, tested positive, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said.

WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus gave the update while addressing the 79th World Health Assembly on Tuesday. Health ministers and diplomats are in Geneva for the 79th World Health Assembly.

It is week of negotiations on key topics such as pandemic preparedness, health financing and managing public health across borders to save the most lives.

The WHO chief said that Uganda had also informed WHO of two confirmed cases in the capital Kampala, including one death, among two individuals who travelled from DRC.

“We’re working with the DRC, Uganda and the United States. There are several factors that make us concerned about the potential for further spread and further deaths. First, beyond the confirmed cases, there are more than 500 suspected cases and 130 suspected deaths,’’ he said.

Mr Ghebreyesus said these numbers would change as field operations are scaling up, including strengthening surveillance, contact tracing and laboratory testing. He said some cases had been reported in urban areas, including Kampala and the city of Goma in the DRC;

The WHO chief also said deaths had been reported among health workers, indicating healthcare-associated transmission.

“There is significant population movement in the area. The province of Ituri is highly insecure, as you may know. Conflict has intensified since late 2025, and fighting has escalated significantly over the past two months, resulting in civilian deaths. Over 100 000 people have been newly displaced, and in Ebola outbreaks, you know what displacement means,” he said.

(NAN)