WHO Warns DRC Ebola Outbreak «Outpacing Us», 101 Cases Confirmed, 10 Deaths
The WHO warns the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, is rapidly spreading and will worsen before improving. With 101 confirmed cases and 10 deaths, the situation is a public health emergency. Challenges include insecurity and lack of approved treatments, though the WHO is advancing clinical trials for therapies.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is «outpacing us» and will «get worse before it gets better.» The DRC declared an outbreak on May 15, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments.
Currently, 101 cases have been confirmed in the DRC, with 10 confirmed deaths. However, there are over 900 suspected cases and 220 suspected deaths. On May 17, the WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Ghebreyesus noted the delay in detection means they are «playing catch-up with a very fast-moving epidemic.»
Countries bordering the DRC are at «especially high risk.» Uganda has five confirmed cases and one death. The WHO has released $3.9 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies. Challenges include insecurity in affected provinces, displacing over 100,000 people, and significant distrust of outside authorities. The WHO is prioritizing two monoclonal antibodies for clinical trials and discussing candidate vaccines.