(Who) Expresses Concern Over Rapid Spread of Ebola Virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geneva, September 2 (KUNA) -- WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern on Wednesday over the rapid spread of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, describing it as “the second-largest outbreak ever recorded and the fastest-spreading to date.” Speaking at a press conference, Ghebreyesus said that 6,000 cases had been reported across six provinces in a vast geographic area, with 3,000 deaths recorded so far. He added that Ituri Province remains the epicenter of the epidemic, accounting for 85 percent of all cases and 88 percent of all Ebola-related deaths. He expressed concern that the majority of deaths continue to occur within local communities rather than in treatment centers, and that burials are not being conducted safely, thereby contributing to further transmission. Ghebreyesus noted that the Ebola outbreak cannot be separated from the humanitarian context in a region that has suffered for decades from conflict, displacement, poverty, and hunger. He emphasized that the epidemic is not the only health threat facing the population, given the concurrent spread of diarrheal diseases, malaria, and malnutrition. He clarified that the World Health Organization is operating under the leadership of the Congolese government and in partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and many other partners, adding that WHO has dispatched more than 330 tons of emergency supplies and deployed over 300 experts to combat the Ebola virus. (End) A.M.Kh./S.A.M.