WHO Urges Global Support for DRC Ebola Outbreak

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged for increased international support to address the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which was declared less than three months ago. This outbreak has escalated to become the largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded in the DRC, raising significant concerns regarding the capacity of health authorities and partners to manage it effectively.

As of the latest government update, there have been 3,802 reported cases and 1,707 deaths since the outbreak began, with the majority of cases concentrated in the remote Ituri Province, accounting for nearly 90 percent of all reported cases. Infections have also been confirmed in five additional provinces.

WHO is currently monitoring over 17,000 potential contacts, with nearly 80 percent being followed up daily. While there are no proven vaccines or treatments for Ebola at this time, two clinical trials for post-exposure drugs are ongoing in Ituri Province, alongside two separate vaccine trials in the United Kingdom and Canada.