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WHO chief visits Ebola outbreak epicentre in DR Congo, calls for more aid
🇸🇬 Singapore /Health & Science

WHO chief visits Ebola outbreak epicentre in DR Congo, calls for more aid

From CNA · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Bunia, the epicenter of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • He called for increased international aid and community engagement to combat the virus's spread.
  • The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, has affected three eastern DRC provinces and neighboring Uganda, with over 1,000 suspected cases and 246 deaths reported in the DRC.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged greater international support to combat the escalating Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a visit to Bunia, the capital of Ituri province.

Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for "community ownership" in the response, highlighting the importance of overcoming mistrust and misinformation. He stated that while the international community is assisting the DRC government, increased financial support from other countries is crucial. "We are here to discuss with the community, to see how the response is running and if there are challenges to help," he told reporters, adding, "You're not alone in this. We're here, we're with you, and we will see this through together."

We are here to discuss with the community, to see how the response is running and if there are challenges to help.

— Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusThe WHO Director-General addressed reporters in Bunia about the purpose of his visit.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, has spread to three eastern DRC provinces and neighboring Uganda. As of Thursday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported at least 1,077 suspected cases and 246 deaths in the DRC since the outbreak was declared on May 15. Uganda has confirmed nine infections, including one death. The WHO warns that the true extent of the outbreak in the DRC may be significantly wider than detected, given the country's limited capacity for laboratory testing, particularly in its conflict-plagued eastern region.

In response to the crisis, Uganda has implemented a 21-day quarantine for individuals arriving from the DRC and closed its border. The WHO announced a positive development: a patient who had recovered from Ebola was discharged on Wednesday after two negative tests, marking a significant milestone. Ebola, a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever, has caused over 15,000 deaths across Africa in the past 50 years, with the DRC's deadliest previous outbreak between 2018 and 2020 claiming nearly 2,300 lives. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders noted that the current epidemic has recorded an unprecedented number of cases in its initial days.

You're not alone in this. We're here, we're with you, and we will see this through together.

— Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusThe WHO Director-General reassured the affected community in Ituri province.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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