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WHO Director-General Reports Ebola Outbreak Concerns After DRC Visit
The World Health Organization director-general described conditions observed during a second visit to the Ebola outbreak zone. At least 708 confirmed cases and 141 deaths have been recorded across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
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The director-general of the World Health Organization said the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is the third largest on record and expressed concern after returning from a second visit to the affected area. The outbreak was declared on May 15 and designated a public health emergency of international concern on May 17.
As of the latest figures, at least 708 confirmed cases and 141 deaths have been reported across the two countries.
Conditions on the Ground WHO staff in the DRC have received death threats.
On June 11, only 28.4 percent of contacts of known cases had been followed up, well below the level needed to contain the outbreak. Community members told the director-general they do not view Ebola as a priority compared with armed conflict, malaria, and hunger. Some expressed the view that international attention is driven by concern that the virus could spread beyond the DRC's borders.
The director-general said the response requires addressing broader issues of conflict, displacement, and health system capacity. Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed cases and two deaths, and the situation there appears largely under control. In northeastern DRC, the virus continues to circulate.
The director-general noted that contact tracing is currently around 50 percent and should reach 95 percent to bring the outbreak under control.
