The head of the World Health Organization has issued an urgent warning over the rapidly worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, calling for a dramatic increase in response efforts as infections continue to rise.

During a visit to Kinshasa on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the virus was spreading faster than the current emergency response could contain it. The outbreak, which began in mid-May and is centered in the eastern province of Ituri Province, has become the country's 17th Ebola outbreak and is already the fastest-growing and second-largest in its history.

Tedros, making his second visit to the country since the outbreak was declared, met with government officials and humanitarian organizations to discuss the growing crisis. He revealed that the number of new Ebola cases had doubled in several hotspots over the past week, highlighting the urgent need for stronger intervention.

His visit also came as authorities investigated a possible Ebola case in Kinshasa after a passenger aboard a crowded river vessel died with symptoms consistent with the disease. Health officials quickly isolated the vessel while medical teams carried out testing and monitoring to prevent any potential spread.

The WHO chief stressed that the response must be expanded immediately across every area of the emergency operation. He emphasized the importance of reaching affected communities despite insecurity and displacement, improving coordination under government leadership, protecting and training healthcare workers, and increasing access to medical care, disease surveillance, and safe burial practices.

Tedros also underlined the vital role of local communities in bringing the outbreak under control. He said the fight against Ebola would only succeed if people trusted health authorities and actively participated in prevention and response efforts.