WHO Chief Visits DRC as Ebola Death Rate Reaches 30-50%

Anaïs Legand of the WHO high-threat pathogens team told reporters in Geneva that the figure means up to five out of ten infected people could die. She added that one patient had recovered and was discharged on 27 May after two negative tests.

The WHO has recorded more than 1,000 confirmed and suspected cases since the outbreak was declared on 15 May. Tedros said the true scale may be larger because the virus circulated undetected for some time. He told reporters the outbreak can be stopped and said the WHO does not support travel bans.

In a message to Congolese citizens he pledged to do everything in his power to help overcome the epidemic.

The outbreak is centered in mineral-rich Ituri province, where armed groups are active. Tedros appealed directly to warring parties to declare a ceasefire, stating that no cause or grievance justifies deaths from a preventable disease. More than 245,000 people have fled eastern DRC to neighboring countries since January 2025, according to the UN refugee agency.

The current outbreak is the 17th recorded in the country.

Uganda announced on Wednesday it would close its border with the DRC after recording one death and eight additional cases. The WHO warned that border closures could increase informal crossings and complicate monitoring. -funded quarantine facility until a legal challenge is heard. S.

5 million toward Kenya’s preparedness and has already pledged $112 million to the regional response. >"I am making a direct appeal to all warring parties in this region: please declare a ceasefire. 6 tonnes of emergency supplies in Bunia, while Unicef said it would send 100 tonnes of aid.

The agency’s advisory groups recommended clinical trials of vaccines and treatments for the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the current outbreak.