AMP Article

Ebola testing has improved in DRC, but still isn’t nearly enough

Published June 12, 2026 · Updated June 12, 2026 · By Christopher Hernandez

ENTEBBE, UGANDA - MAY 26: Sophia Mulei, Laboratory Technologist inactivating a control sample inside the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Laboratory at Uganda Virus Research Institute on May 26, 2026 in Entebbe, Uganda. The Uganda Research Institute is the primary institution carrying out research and laboratory testing of Ebola samples, as health officials in the East African country scramble to contain the outbreak, which has spilled over from the epicenter in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On Monday authorities reported that the total number of confirmed infections in Uganda has risen to seven, while the number of suspected cases in the DRC has reached 904, with 119 suspected deaths. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Getty Images)

Improved Ebola Testing in DRC, Yet Challenges Persist

Ebola testing has improved in DRC but - When health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) first detected signs of a possible Ebola outbreak in mid-April, the situation was far from clear. Deaths in the northeastern region, initially suspected to be linked to the virus, triggered a series of actions by officials to confirm the threat. Samples were collected and sent to a laboratory in Bunia for analysis, marking the first step in a diagnostic journey that would unfold over several weeks.

The initial testing phase revealed a critical limitation in the country’s diagnostic tools. According to Jean-Jaques Muyembe, general director of the DRC’s national biomedical research center, INRB, the first samples were processed on April 30th using a GeneXpert machine. This automated system is designed to identify specific viral DNA sequences, yet it failed to detect the rare strain of Ebola responsible for the outbreak. Subsequent tests conducted a couple of weeks later also yielded negative results, leaving officials uncertain about the true nature of the disease spreading in the region.

"The initial response has been pretty significantly hampered by the lack of appropriate diagnostics on the ground," says Caia Dominicus, senior technical adviser for the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat. "If officials can't test in a timely manner, they can't get patients to isolate and prevent the virus from spreading."

The delay in identifying the outbreak had severe consequences. By mid-May, when the alarm was finally raised and an Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak declared, the virus had already spread to a significant extent. The suspected case count surged past 1,100, overwhelming the existing testing infrastructure. This bottleneck in diagnostics highlights the urgent need for more efficient tools, especially in regions where access to centralized labs is limited.

In recent weeks, progress has been made in addressing these challenges. Abdirahman Mahamud, who oversees health emergency alert and response operations at the World Health Organization (WHO), notes that diagnostic capacity has improved significantly compared to three and a half weeks ago. However, he cautions that current testing capabilities are still insufficient to manage a potential outbreak projected to reach 20,000 cases by August. "We are very much aware we are still behind the curve," Mahamud adds. "If transmission continues, either geographically or through an increase in cases, we will require additional surge capacity."

A key factor in this recent progress is the introduction of the RADI-One machine. This device, capable of detecting the Bundibugyo strain, has streamlined the testing process by requiring less training and fewer resources than traditional laboratory methods. Its portability and ease of use have allowed it to be deployed in smaller clinics closer to the outbreak zones, including Mongbwalu, a mining town that has been heavily impacted. As of now, seven labs — including one mobile unit — are operational in the northeastern DRC, though their capacity remains a concern.

According to a laboratory technician at one of the Bunia-based labs, the facility can now process over 100 samples daily. The technician, who requested anonymity due to fears of losing their job for speaking to the media, explained that the turnaround time for results has improved dramatically. "Right now, we really don’t have a backlog, and the samples that arrive are analyzed right away," they said. "The time between testing and receiving results is typically one to twelve hours."

Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Yap Boum, a senior official at the Africa CDC, emphasized that the organization is collaborating with WHO and DRC health officials to expand the use of RADI-One machines. They aim to deploy 50 of these devices by the end of June. However, Dominicus points out that "there just aren’t that many machines available," and the procurement process, currently in talks with a South Korean manufacturer named KH Medical, will take time. While other tests could be introduced, they often require more specialized training, complicating their implementation.

Another critical barrier to effective testing is the time it takes to transport samples from remote areas to centralized labs. Dominicus highlights that this delay, combined with ongoing conflicts, population displacement, and community mistrust, creates a complex environment for diagnosing outbreaks. In some regions, samples may take days to reach the lab, and in areas with limited accessibility, the wait could be even longer. These logistical hurdles underscore the need for rapid diagnostic tools that can provide immediate results.

"The faster you detect someone's positive, the faster you can actually isolate them and stop them from spreading it onwards," says Abraar Karan, an infectious disease physician at Stanford University.

Karan’s insight reflects a growing consensus among health experts that rapid tests, similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic, could revolutionize the response to Ebola. These tests, which involve a simple blood pinprick and a quick analysis on a paper strip, can deliver results in minutes rather than hours or days. If widely adopted, they could reduce the time between infection and isolation, potentially curbing the spread of the virus more effectively.

While the DRC has made strides in its testing infrastructure, the system still faces gaps that could be exploited by the virus. The current lab network, though expanded, cannot keep pace with the anticipated case load. This has led to a more measured approach in managing the outbreak, with officials emphasizing the importance of scaling up resources before the situation worsens further.

As the situation evolves, the focus remains on balancing immediate needs with long-term solutions. The success of RADI-One and other new tools is a positive sign, but their widespread use depends on training, funding, and logistical support. Until these factors are addressed, the DRC will continue to grapple with the challenges of diagnosing and containing the outbreak. The lessons learned from this crisis could shape future responses, ensuring that the country is better prepared for the next wave of cases.