WHO Chief Visits DR Congo as Ebola Outbreak Sparks Alarm Over Rapid Spread
The outbreak emerged roughly two weeks ago in the country’s northeastern Ituri Province and has since expanded rapidly. Health estimates indicate that 223 deaths have been recorded so far, with 906 suspected infections reported, according to WHO figures.
During his visit, Tedros met with senior Congolese officials and expressed confidence in the country’s ability to manage the crisis. He also cautioned against the use of border closures and travel restrictions, which several neighboring states have already introduced, arguing that such measures can discourage reporting and transparency.
At a joint briefing with Roger Kamba, he stated: “The Democratic Republic of Congo has faced Ebola 16 times before and has ended every outbreak. This is the 17th. That history gives me real confidence.”
He also urged communities to take precautions during burial practices and to seek medical care promptly if symptoms appear, emphasizing early detection as a key factor in controlling the outbreak.
Despite the WHO’s relatively optimistic tone, humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about the speed at which the outbreak is unfolding. Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) reported that response efforts have struggled to keep pace with transmission rates, describing the situation as “deeply alarming” and a serious concern for both residents and frontline medical staff.
MSF officials noted that the unusually rapid accumulation of cases so soon after the outbreak’s declaration is unprecedented in their experience, warning that the true scale of the epidemic remains uncertain and may be larger than currently reported.
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