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How the Democratic Republic of the Congo Leveraged Polio Expertise to End the Latest Ebola Outbreak
Harnessing Established Health Infrastructure for Rapid Ebola Containment
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recently announced the successful conclusion of its most recent Ebola outbreak, a milestone achieved largely through the strategic use of the country’s well-established polio eradication framework. This existing network, known for its robust surveillance and community engagement capabilities, played a pivotal role in accelerating the Ebola response.
Collaborative Efforts Between WHO and National Health Authorities
In partnership with the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) promptly mobilized a specialized team of seven polio experts to bolster efforts in Kasai Province, the epicenter of the outbreak. These professionals contributed their expertise in epidemiological surveillance, logistics coordination, contact tracing, and community mobilization, ensuring a swift and organized response to the crisis.
Utilizing Polio Program Strengths for Ebola Vaccination and Awareness
The WHO sub-office in Kasai, funded through polio eradication resources, functioned as a critical logistical command center. Drawing on years of experience conducting door-to-door polio immunization campaigns, local polio personnel effectively mapped remote and hard-to-access communities, monitored population movements, and disseminated vital information on Ebola prevention. Their presence on the ground was instrumental in facilitating the distribution of vaccines and educational materials to vulnerable populations.
Polio Eradication Progress and Its Role in Broader Health Security
Since the interruption of wild poliovirus type 1 transmission in Africa in 2020, the DRC has maintained momentum by addressing circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus types 1 and 2 (cVDPV1 and cVDPV2). In 2025 alone, immunization campaigns reached over 33 million children, including those under 14 in select provinces, underscoring the country’s commitment to comprehensive vaccination coverage.
Key components of the polio strategy-enhanced environmental surveillance, rapid case investigation, and fortified laboratory diagnostics-were seamlessly adapted to support the Ebola outbreak response, demonstrating the versatility of these public health tools.
Expert Insights on Cross-Program Synergies
Dr. Aïcha Diakité, WHO Polio Team Lead focusing on capacity building in the DRC, emphasized the rapid redeployment of polio teams to strengthen Ebola case investigations, contact tracing, and data management. “Our logisticians ensured timely transport of samples to national laboratories, while surveillance officers trained local health workers. Communication specialists worked tirelessly to foster community trust,” she explained. “This cross-utilization of polio infrastructure was vital in halting Ebola transmission, illustrating how investments in polio eradication continue to safeguard public health beyond their original scope.”
Measurable Impact of Integrated Disease Control Efforts
The effectiveness of this integrated approach is reflected in the dramatic decline of variant poliovirus type 1 detections-from 107 cases in 2023 to just 10 in 2024, and a single case reported so far in 2025. This trend highlights how the same surveillance and response mechanisms that drive polio success have been instrumental in managing Ebola.
Community-Centered Strategies Accelerate Outbreak Containment
“Polio teams possess deep-rooted knowledge of local communities, including terrain and social dynamics, enabling rapid and culturally sensitive interventions,” noted Dr. Lusamba Kabamba, coordinator of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in the DRC. Their expertise in micro-planning and risk communication was quickly harnessed to enhance active case finding and resource deployment during the Ebola crisis.
Building on a Legacy of Multi-Disease Emergency Response
This integrated model builds upon the polio program’s longstanding role in supporting responses to various health emergencies across the region, including cholera outbreaks and mpox (monkeypox) management. By leveraging established networks and expertise, the DRC continues to strengthen its resilience against infectious diseases, safeguarding millions of lives.
