WHO Declares Highest Ebola Risk Level in DRC

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached its highest risk level, with 82 confirmed cases and 7 confirmed deaths reported. There are nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths.

Experts indicate that the outbreak is caused by the less common Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments available. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the situation is particularly challenging for health workers who are scrambling to track down contacts of those infected in highly insecure areas.

The outbreak has also affected neighboring Uganda, where two cases were confirmed among individuals who traveled from DRC. The WHO is prioritizing existing treatments and has recommended clinical trials for monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs.

The risk assessment for the DRC remains high, while the global risk level is assessed as low.