WHO says Ebola Response Gaining Ground in DR Congo with 344 Confirmed Cases

Tedros Ghebreyesus, director-general (DG) of the World Health Organisation (WHO), says efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are beginning to catch up with the outbreak’s spread.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Ghebreyesus said he visited the DRC and met with political leaders, health officials, development partners, ambassadors, frontline responders, community groups, and traditional leaders.

According to him, the country has recorded 344 confirmed cases, including 60 deaths, across 24 health zones in the Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces.

The WHO chief said the number of suspected cases has dropped to 116, down from more than 1,000 recorded a week earlier, as health authorities continue to clear a backlog of investigations.

He said Uganda has recorded one confirmed death and 15 cases linked to the outbreak, including a Congolese resident who travelled through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before entering the country.

“In Uganda, there is one confirmed death and 15 confirmed cases, including a Congolese resident who travelled to the United Arab Emirates and then to Uganda,” he said.

He said that a United States citizen infected in the DRC is receiving treatment in Germany.

The WHO boss said the organisation’s risk assessment remains unchanged, with the outbreak classified as high risk at the national and regional levels but low risk globally.

“In Budibugyo, there are new treatment centres with the capacity of 80 beds, and there are treatment units in Mongalu, Raopara, Deni, Goma, and Bukavu, and more are on the way,” he said.

“So far, six people have recovered in DRC and two in Uganda, showing that people can survive Ebola if they have access to care and go to health facilities as soon as they show symptoms, but we still face several challenges.”