The measures were issued following a meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee on August 18 to review the outbreak and assess the effectiveness of the response.
WHO said DRC remains the only country experiencing sustained community transmission of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a virus for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.
The revised recommendations place greater emphasis on surveillance, contact tracing, infection prevention, clinical care, community engagement and cross-border preparedness.
Under the updated guidance, DRC is urged to maintain the outbreak as a national health emergency and strengthen coordination mechanisms led by the highest levels of government.
WHO has also called for enhanced surveillance systems, including the investigation of all suspected cases and unexplained deaths within 24 hours, as well as the continued monitoring of contacts for 21 days after exposure.
A major new focus is on social measures aimed at slowing transmission.
The recommendations call for the postponement of mass gatherings in areas with active community transmission, restrictions on crowding in food and entertainment venues, limits on motorcycle passengers and the establishment of health checkpoints on roads connecting affected and high-risk areas.
WHO also urged authorities to strengthen monitoring of inland waterways linking outbreak zones to major urban centres, including Kinshasa.
The organisation stressed the importance of community trust and engagement, calling for greater involvement of local leaders, religious leaders, traditional healers and Ebola survivors in public awareness campaigns.
Health authorities have also been instructed to expand treatment capacity, improve protection for healthcare workers and strengthen safe and dignified burial practices.
The recommendations come as neighbouring countries remain on high alert.
WHO identified Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia as countries facing a high risk because they share borders with DRC.
These countries have been advised to strengthen surveillance, border health measures, laboratory readiness and emergency response capabilities.
WHO reiterated that it does not recommend suspending flights or closing borders with DRC, emphasising instead the importance of preparedness, early detection and rapid response to prevent further international spread of the virus.
–WHO/ChannelAfrica–
