WHO: Ebola Epidemic in DRC is 'Extremely Serious'

The Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with an Ebola epidemic described as "extremely serious and difficult" by the World Health Organization, which has issued an urgent call to action for neighboring countries.

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We are intensifying operations with urgency, but for the moment the epidemic is moving faster than us.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, highlighted several factors hindering the response. These include the delayed identification of initial cases, ongoing insecurity in affected regions, a segment of the population's distrust of health efforts, and the absence of a vaccine specifically for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. "The delay in detecting the outbreak means that we are now trying to catch up with an epidemic that is moving very fast," Tedros stated during an online ministerial meeting.

Tedros warned that the situation "will get worse before it gets better," emphasizing the intensity of the challenge. He confirmed that efforts are underway to deploy teams and bolster containment measures, which involve building trust with local communities and isolating individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. Ten African nations bordering the DRC have been identified as being at particularly high risk.

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We are facing an extremely serious and difficult outbreak. It will get worse before it gets better.

The outbreak, declared on May 15, has seen 101 confirmed cases in the DRC with ten deaths. However, the WHO estimates the true scale may be larger, with approximately 900 possible cases and 220 suspected deaths. Ebola is a fatal viral disease transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids, capable of causing hemorrhagic fever and multi-organ failure, with a mortality rate between 25% and 90% historically.

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Neighboring countries of the DRC are at particularly high risk and should act immediately.