WHO chief urges community cooperation to contain DRC Ebola outbreak
World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for community cooperation to stop an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying it is “everybody’s business.” He made the appeal during a visit to eastern Congo, where some residents have protested stringent medical protocols for handling victims’ bodies, citing violations of burial rites. At least three attacks against health centres have been linked to that sentiment. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus strain, for which there is no vaccine, though infected people can recover with early treatment. Fighting between rival armed groups in the mineral-rich Ituri region has complicated relief efforts, prompting Tedros to call for a ceasefire to prevent preventable deaths. The WHO has recorded 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths in the DRC, with 282 confirmed cases and 42 deaths as of Sunday. The medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières warned that the spread is deeply alarming and that the true scale of the outbreak remains unknown as hundreds of samples go untested.
What’s reported
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited eastern Congo and opened a treatment centre in Bunia, capital of Ituri province.
Some residents have protested against restrictions on handling Ebola victims’ bodies, saying they violate local burial rites.
At least three attacks against health centres have been linked to the protests.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, for which there is no vaccine.
Tedros said patients can recover if they seek early treatment at health facilities.
The WHO has recorded 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths in the DRC.
The number of confirmed cases in the DRC is 282, with 42 deaths.
Neighbouring Uganda has confirmed nine cases and one death.
Fighting between armed groups in Ituri has complicated relief efforts; Tedros called for a ceasefire.
Brazil’s health authorities reported monitoring two patients for possible Ebola; one later tested negative.
The WHO has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
The EU and US have provided additional aid; the US announced $80m (£60m), raising its total to $112m.
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya said Africa’s response to Ebola must be defined by Africa itself.
MSF Deputy Director Alan Gonzalez said hundreds of samples remain untested and the true scale of the outbreak is unknown.
Open questions
The true scale and severity of the outbreak remain unknown, as hundreds of suspected cases have not been tested, according to MSF.
Key figures
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus – WHO Director General
Jean Kaseya – Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director General
Alan Gonzalez – Médecins Sans Frontières Deputy Director
São Paulo state government (mentioned)
Rio de Janeiro state health department (mentioned)
Sources: The Guardian
