WHO Chief Visits Ebola Epicenter, Urges Community Involvement and More Funding

The World Health Organization's (WHO) top official, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, visited the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday. His visit to Bunia, the capital of the Ituri province, aimed to engage with local communities about their efforts to manage the epidemic and identify any needs for further international assistance.

"Local communities understand the problems better, and they also know the solution," Ghebreyesus stated upon his arrival in Bunia. He acknowledged the ongoing involvement of the international community and the DRC government but stressed the importance of local ownership in the response. "It is important that the local community feels ownership. That's why we are here to discuss with the locals about how the handling is proceeding, and - if there are challenges - to help," he added.

The current Ebola outbreak has led to over 1,000 suspected infections in the DRC, with at least 225 confirmed cases and an estimated 223 deaths since the outbreak was declared on May 15. The virus has also spread to neighboring Uganda, which has since closed its borders with the DRC in an attempt to contain the infection. At least one death has been reported in Uganda.

During his visit, Ghebreyesus also called for increased international support, noting that the WHO has only received one-third of the funds required to combat the epidemic effectively. Ebola is a highly fatal viral disease, with the current variant having a mortality rate between 30 and 50 percent in previous outbreaks.