WHO chief lands in eastern Congo’s Ituri province, epicenter of Ebola, as outbreak outpaces response
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) chief arrived in eastern Congo’s Ituri province, where a fast-spreading Ebola outbreak is ongoing. Despite better health facilities and international aid, the virus continues to spread, and the response has not yet controlled the outbreak.Key Facts
- The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, visited Bunia, the center of the Ebola outbreak in Congo.
- There have been 906 suspected Ebola cases and 223 suspected deaths reported in Congo.
- Neighboring Uganda has confirmed 9 cases and 1 death from the same Ebola strain.
- The current Ebola strain is the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved treatment or vaccine.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo has dealt with Ebola before and is expected to bring this outbreak under control.
- The European Union and the United States have provided medical aid, with the U.S. committing over $112 million in total.
- Doctors Without Borders warns this is one of the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreaks recorded and calls for faster, wider medical response.
- Local resistance to medical practices and attacks from rebel and militia groups are making it harder to control the outbreak and protect health workers.
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