DRC Ebola Outbreak Uncontrolled, WHO Reports High Risk

The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Wednesday that the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is far from being controlled, with a high risk of international spread. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus stated that nearly 5,000 individuals have been infected and over 2,300 have died across six provinces and 55 health zones, marking it as the second-largest and fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak recorded.

Ghebreyesus highlighted that factors such as insecurity, displacement, and intense population movement are contributing to the outbreak's rapid spread. He expressed concern over many deaths occurring in homes and communities outside treatment centers, indicating unidentified transmission chains that need to be addressed to end the epidemic.

The WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern three months ago. Ghebreyesus noted that the threat extends beyond the DRC, citing a recent case of a traveler carrying the virus to France.

However, he mentioned that Uganda successfully contained the virus after an initial spillover.