KINSHASA, Congo: The World Health Organization (WHO) says limited access and a shortage of funds are hampering efforts to contain the latest Ebola outbreak in southern Congo, the first in nearly two decades in Kasai province.

Kasai, more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the capital Kinshasa, is a remote region with poor roads and fragile infrastructure, complicating the delivery of medical aid. On September 12, a U.N. peacekeeping helicopter helped deliver 400 vaccine doses to the outbreak's epicenter in Bulape, with another 1,500 expected to arrive from Kinshasa soon, WHO official Patrick Otim told reporters in Geneva.

"We have struggled in the last seven days with access but are collaborating with MONUSCO (the U.N. peacekeeping mission) now," Otim said. While health authorities have stepped up operations on the ground, he stressed that funding remains a critical obstacle. The WHO estimates it needs US$20 million for the next three months of response, while Congo's broader national plan is projected to cost nearly $78 million.

The outbreak was confirmed on September 4. Since then, suspected cases have jumped from 28 to 68, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has also reported 16 deaths. The most recent confirmed case was detected 70 kilometers from Bulape but still within Kasai. "Our worry is if we get cases in another health zone, we need to expand, and it will be resource-intensive," Otim cautioned.

The crisis comes amid concerns over reduced international funding. The United States, which contributed more than $11 million during a 2021 Ebola outbreak, has cut back its support, raising questions about how Congo can sustain its response.

Health workers are particularly vulnerable. At least four medical staff members are among the confirmed cases, said Mathias Mossoko, the government's Ebola coordinator in Bulape. He added that protecting frontline staff through vaccination is the top priority.

Contact tracing efforts appear strong, with more than 600 contacts identified and 94% successfully monitored. Only one has tested positive so far, and Mossoko said the risk of spread to other provinces remains low. "At this stage, it is not yet appropriate to declare a public health emergency," he noted.

Doctors Without Borders is also assisting. The group has helped set up an Ebola treatment center at Bulape hospital, reinforced triage procedures, supplied protective gear and medicines, and trained local staff in infection control and symptomatic care.