The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) visited Bunia in eastern Congo, where a rare Ebola strain is spreading rapidly. Despite improved health facilities and new aid, the virus is outpacing response efforts. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus plans to visit a treatment center, meeting local leaders, health workers, and families affected.
The best way to address this is to provide all the necessary support to fight the disease at its epicenter and to continue offering every assistance needed,
said the WHO’s director-general.
The outbreak has seen 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths according to official figures. The real number might be several times higher. Neighboring Uganda reported nine cases and one death.
The current Ebola strain is known as the Bundibugyo virus. It lacks approved treatments or vaccines. Tedros expressed confidence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s ability to control the outbreak, reflecting on past experiences with the virus.
In response to the situation, the WHO upgraded its risk assessment to ‘very high’ at a national level. Emergency medical aid from the European Union arrived in Ituri with more expected soon. The U.S. pledged $80 million in extra aid, totaling over $112 million.
Despite organized response efforts, with additional staff and supplies, the outbreak is spreading rapidly. Doctors Without Borders highlighted the record speed of the outbreak’s case increase. Alan Gonzalez from MSF emphasized the urgent need for expanded testing and resources.
Health workers face dangers heightened by local anger over burial protocols that conflict with traditional rites. This has led to attacks on health centers. Rebel activities in Ituri and other provinces have also complicated response efforts.
Uganda and Rwanda closed borders with Congo, but the WHO states such measures do not prevent the virus’s spread. Tedros urged transparency and reconsideration of border closures, stating,
Closing borders, as some countries have done, only discourages transparency. The Democratic Republic of Congo is reporting the situation openly and transparently,
The US increased airport health screenings, with travelers showing symptoms evaluated by CDC officials. Meanwhile, a Kenyan court blocked a US plan to set up an Ebola quarantine on a Kenyan air base.
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