WHO chief sounds alarm over worsening Ebola outbreak

World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading rapidly, with community deaths making it harder for health authorities to trace infections.

WHO raises alarm

Dr Tedros issued the warning after returning from a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he met President Félix Tshisekedi and discussed efforts to contain the outbreak.

Outbreak reaches alarming scale

According to Dr Tedros, the outbreak has already become the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record and is spreading faster than previous outbreaks. He warned that, at its current pace, it could surpass the West African Ebola epidemic of 2014 to 2016.

Thousands affected

The WHO chief said 4,449 confirmed cases and 2,061 deaths have been officially reported across five provinces and 53 health zones.

Community deaths raise concern

Dr Tedros said a significant number of deaths are occurring in communities rather than treatment centres. He warned that this suggests some chains of transmission have not yet been identified.

Contact tracing challenge

The presence of cases and deaths outside known contact lists is making it more difficult for health authorities to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.

Dr Tedros stressed that authorities must identify and break every chain of transmission to bring the outbreak under control.

Variant driving outbreak

The current outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo variant of Ebola. Health authorities are working to strengthen surveillance, treatment and other measures aimed at slowing its spread.

Urgent response needed

The WHO has praised efforts by Congolese authorities but warned that more action is needed as the outbreak continues to expand. Health officials are particularly concerned about areas without treatment centres, where detecting and responding to new infections can be more difficult.