Sustainable strategies for Ebola virus disease outbreak preparedness in Africa: a case study on lessons learnt in countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This case study highlights the gains and shortfalls with the Ebola virus disease preparedness interventions within the various contexts of nine countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against the background of a renewed and growing commitment for global epidemic preparedness highlighted during recent World Health Assembly events.

From May 2018 to September 2022, the DRC experienced seven Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks within its borders. During the 10th EVD outbreak (2018–2020), the largest experienced in the DRC and the second largest and most prolonged EVD outbreak recorded globally, a WHO risk assessment identified nine countries bordering the DRC as moderate to high risk from cross border importation. These countries implemented varying levels of Ebola virus disease preparedness interventions.