The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can still be contained despite growing challenges in the region.
Tedros arrived in Kinshasa on Thursday evening and is expected to travel to the eastern province of Ituri, the centre of the current outbreak, to oversee response efforts.
Speaking after his arrival, he said communities in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu were “not alone” and promised the WHO would do everything possible to help stop the spread of the virus.
The outbreak response has been complicated by ongoing violence and displacement in eastern DR Congo. Tedros urged armed groups and conflicting parties to agree to a ceasefire, warning that conflict makes controlling the disease far more difficult.
He also cautioned against imposing travel bans on affected countries, saying such restrictions discourage transparency and early reporting of outbreaks.
According to the WHO, the outbreak has recorded 10 confirmed deaths and 223 suspected Ebola-related deaths since it was declared on 15 May. More than 1,000 confirmed and suspected cases have also been reported.
Health officials say the current outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The WHO has recommended clinical trials for possible vaccines and treatments.
