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Ebola had 'big head-start' but response catching up: WHO
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Health & Science

Ebola had 'big head-start' but response catching up: WHO

From Dawn · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The World Health Organization acknowledges that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo had a significant "head-start" but insists containment efforts are progressing.
  • The outbreak, confirmed on May 15, has infected 359 people and caused 61 deaths, though actual numbers may be higher due to undetected spread.
  • Challenges include insecurity in the Ituri province, limited testing capacity, and the lack of a vaccine for the rare Bundibugyo strain, while blanket travel restrictions are hindering the response.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has admitted that the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) gained a substantial "head-start," but maintains that efforts to control the deadly virus are making headway. Declared on May 15 in the northeastern DRC, the outbreak has officially confirmed 359 infections and 61 fatalities. However, the WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, cautioned that the true figures could be considerably higher, as the virus may have circulated undetected for some time.

The outbreak had a big head-start and we’re still behind.

— Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusWHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledges the challenges in controlling the Ebola outbreak.

Tedros, who recently visited the outbreak's epicenter in Ituri province, expressed encouragement regarding the commitment shown by local authorities and health workers. Despite this, he acknowledged the ongoing challenges, stating, "the virus is ahead of us… we need to move faster." The outbreak is concentrated in Ituri, a region plagued by decades of armed conflict, which has displaced millions into crowded camps. This insecurity, coupled with limited testing capabilities, lagging contact tracing, and mistrust among segments of the population, presents significant hurdles for the response efforts.

we’re catching up.

— Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expresses cautious optimism about the progress in containing the Ebola outbreak.

Adding to the complexity, no vaccine or approved treatment currently exists for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola responsible for this outbreak. Ebola, transmitted through close contact and bodily fluids, has caused over 15,000 deaths across Africa in the past 50 years. The current outbreak, the DRC's 17th, has seen 344 confirmed cases across three provinces, resulting in 60 deaths, according to the WHO. Neighboring Uganda has reported 15 cases, including one death, linked to a traveler from the DRC who had visited the United Arab Emirates.

I had been very encouraged by the level of commitment I saw everywhere I went.

— Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shares his observations on the commitment of local health workers and authorities during his visit to the DRC.

Tedros urged countries to lift "blanket travel restrictions," which he stated are disrupting supply chains and impeding the response. He emphasized that the WHO recommends exit screening at transportation hubs but believes broader travel bans are counterproductive. The focus, he stressed, must be on bolstering containment measures and accelerating contact tracing to effectively rein in the outbreak.

the virus is ahead of us… we need to move faster.

— Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlights the urgency required to combat the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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