WHO chief says Ebola outbreak in DR Congo complicated by conflict, insecurity
Kinshasa, May 29
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was "very complex," with conflict, insecurity, displacement, food shortages and community mistrust complicating efforts to contain the disease, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Speaking to reporters on late Thursday at the airport upon arriving in the DRC capital of Kinshasa, Tedros said he had come to show affected communities that "they are not alone" and that the WHO was there to support the response, Xinhua news agency reported.
WHO teams are already working on the ground in Bunia, the capital of the eastern Ituri province, he said, adding that he would travel there on Friday to assess the situation.
Tedros said conflict and insecurity were among the main factors hampering the response and reiterated his call for a ceasefire in affected areas plagued by armed attacks.
Asked about travel restrictions imposed by some countries on travelers from the DRC, Tedros said "a travel ban is not advised by WHO," explaining that such measures may only delay transmission by a few days.
"The best approach is to intensify measures at the source and provide support," he said.
Travel bans could also have negative public health consequences, Tedros added, warning that countries reporting outbreaks transparently may feel they are being penalized, potentially discouraging early reporting.
More than 1,000 suspected cases and 238 suspected deaths have been reported as the latest outbreak continues to spread across the DR Congo's eastern provinces, according to a situation report released Wednesday by the country's Ministry of Health.
The current outbreak marks the country's 17th Ebola epidemic. Laboratory tests identified the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, a relatively rare form of Ebola.
The WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on May 17, while the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention later declared a continental public health security emergency.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I appreciate Tedros going there personally, that shows commitment. But the WHO's hands are tied when armed groups control areas. The international community needs to pressure these groups for humanitarian corridors, otherwise all the medical supplies in the world won't reach the sick.
Travel bans are a knee-jerk reaction! Remember how we handled COVID? Travel bans only isolate countries and create panic. The WHO is right—focus on strengthening the response at the source, not punishing transparency. We've seen this movie before, it never ends well.
1000 suspected cases and 238 deaths—that's a 23.8% fatality rate for the Bundibugyo strain. For context, the Zaire strain which we're more familiar with can kill up to 90% of those infected. This is still a major public health crisis. I hope the emergency declarations mobilize real resources, not just paperwork.
The community mistrust aspect is critical. In places like India, we've seen how rumors and misinformation can derail vaccination drives. The WHO needs local leaders and trusted community members to bridge that gap. You can't fight Ebola with only hazmat suits and syringes—you need trust.
This is their 17th Ebola outbreak! It shows how deeply the virus is entrenched. I worry about the healthcare workers on the ground—they're risking their lives in conflict zones AND against Ebola. India should send some protective gear and maybe volunteer doctors who've dealt with viral outbreaks.
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