WHO Chief Arrives in Ebola Epicenter in Congo

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has arrived in Bunia, the capital of the Ituri province, which is at the heart of a significant Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The epidemic, declared on May 15, has also spread to neighboring Uganda, where nine cases have been confirmed.

The DRC, one of the world's poorest nations, is grappling with a severe health crisis. As of Thursday, the Africa CDC reported over 1,000 suspected cases and 246 deaths in the DRC. In Uganda, two new cases were confirmed on Friday, bringing the total there to nine. The WHO has issued an international health alert.

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I am going to Bunia. I will be there personally, alongside my colleagues, to meet your leaders, listen to your concerns, and do everything in my power to help you.

Access to rural areas in Ituri is challenging due to the absence of state services and the presence of armed groups. International health officials suspect the actual number of cases is higher than reported, citing the DRC's limited laboratory capacity for confirming transmissions. Despite these complexities, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed optimism, stating on Thursday evening, "Even if the situation is complex, I think we can stop this thing."

During his visit, the WHO chief plans to meet with local leaders and address concerns. He had previously conveyed his commitment in an open letter to the residents of Ituri, promising to do everything possible to assist them. A positive note amidst the crisis is the recovery of a patient in the DRC, who was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday and returned to their community.

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Even if the situation is complex, I think we can stop this thing.