Pope Leo has called for international action to confront the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), where transmission remains active across six provinces and thousands of people have died.

On Sunday, the pontiff said on X that he often remembers the African state in his prayers, especially in light of the spread of the Ebola epidemic.

“I encourage on the part of the international community a response that also involves local communities in efforts of prevention, so that many human lives may be saved,” Pope Leo said.

The appeal came as the latest figures from DR Congo’s Health Ministry showed 5,375 confirmed cases and 2,557 deaths, putting the case fatality rate at 47.6%. 

The outbreak has reached 56 health zones across six provinces – Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele, and Tshopo. Ituri remains the most widely affected, with cases recorded in 28 of its 36 health zones. The authorities said transmission remains active but that there has been no further geographical expansion in the latest reporting period.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has described the outbreak as the largest ever recorded in DR Congo and said it has been expanding faster than any previous Ebola outbreak in the country. The agency’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned that the disease is spreading faster than efforts to contain it.

The WHO and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have also previously called for greater international support to contain the outbreak.

DR Congo declared the outbreak in May. It is the country’s 17th recorded Ebola outbreak and is caused by the Bundibugyo virus. There is currently no licensed vaccine or approved specific treatment for this specific strain.

On Friday, Kinshasa received 16,520 Ervebo vaccines, with 50,120 expected by August 24. Funded by Gavi and made by MSD in Germany, the vaccine was developed and licensed against a different Ebola virus species. However, it will support the government’s response and protect people at risk, according to the country’s health minister, Roger Kamba.