WHO chief visits Ebola epicenter in Congo, calls situation 'difficult'

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, arrived in Ituri, the city at the heart of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus continues to outpace response efforts despite improved health facilities and incoming aid.

Tedros visited a treatment center in Bunia, eastern DRC, and met with local officials, healthcare workers, and affected families. He stated that the best approach is to provide necessary support to combat the disease at its epicenter. The WHO reported 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths as of Friday. Neighboring Uganda has confirmed nine cases and one death.

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The best way to address this is to provide all the necessary support to combat the disease at its epicenter and continue to offer all the assistance that is necessary.

"This is a difficult situation, and we recognize that. But the Democratic Republic of Congo has faced the Ebola virus on many occasions. We are confident that once again it can bring this outbreak under control," Tedros told journalists. He made these remarks after meeting with Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka. The current strain, the Bundibugyo virus, does not have approved treatments or vaccines.

International aid is arriving, with the European Union donating medical supplies on Thursday and the United States pledging an additional $80 million, bringing its total commitment to over $112 million. The ongoing conflict and displacement in the region complicate efforts to combat the virus, prompting the WHO chief to call for a ceasefire.

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This is a difficult situation, and we recognize that. But the Democratic Republic of Congo has faced the Ebola virus on many occasions. We are confident that once again it can bring this outbreak under control.