WHO says Ebola response 'still behind' amid militant attacks

The World Health Organization's chief expressed concern that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has a "big head start" and that response efforts are "still behind." Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that while testing capacity has improved, contact tracing in the DRC is not yet sufficient.

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The outbreak had a big head start, and we're still behind, but under the leadership of the government of DRC, we're catching up.

Compounding the public health crisis, militant attacks have continued to disrupt containment efforts. On Tuesday, an attack by an Islamic State affiliate, the Allied Democratic Forces, killed 16 people in North Kivu province. This violence has hindered the fight against the rare Bundibugyo type of Ebola, which emerged in mid-May across eastern DRC's Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. Neighboring Uganda has also confirmed cases.

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What I saw gave me hope, although challenges remain.

Despite the challenges, Tedros offered a note of hope, stating that under the DRC government's leadership, efforts are catching up. He emphasized the need to lift blanket travel restrictions imposed by some countries, arguing they disrupt supply chains and impede the response. Instead, the WHO recommends exit screening at airports, ports, and border crossings. Tedros also addressed concerns about a US quarantine center in Kenya, stating that the US can implement measures it deems appropriate based on its risk assessment.

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The outbreak had a big head start, and we're still behind.