WHO: Encouraging signs of progress in fighting Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geneva, 16 Sep (KUNA) -- World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on Wednesday encouraging indicators of progress in the fight against the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), noting that 1,700 patients have recovered and that transmission has declined in the most affected areas of Ituri province.
Speaking at a press conference at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Ghebreyesus stated that South Kivu province has also recorded no new cases since May, confirming that after four months, the outbreak is largely contained in the northeastern part of the DRC.
The UN official explained that trials for treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis are accelerating due to increased community participation, and that vaccine trials are expected to begin within the coming weeks.
However, Ghebreyesus emphasized that the outbreak continues to expand in many other areas and is claiming lives, noting that more than 7,200 cases and over 3,500 deaths have been reported across seven provinces.
He stated that the decline in transmission in Ituri does not signify its end, as approximately 300 new cases and 160 deaths were recorded in the province alone during the past week, accounting for nearly half of the national total.
Ghebreyesus added that cases are rising at a faster rate in North Kivu, noting that the weekly number of cases has nearly doubled over the past two weeks, from around 100 to more than 200.
He highlighted the challenges in managing the outbreak due to the vastness of the region and the diversity of conditions, ranging from major cities such as Kisangani, with a population of approximately 1.5 million, to remote villages, conflict and mining areas, and sparsely populated regions near the border with South Sudan.
He noted that high population mobility in the region means the outbreak remains capable of spreading, pointing to the difficulty of accessing many areas. He stressed that key indicators have not yet improved, calling for the continuation and strengthening of response efforts in the coming months, and urging donors to ensure full funding for both the government’s response plan and the broader humanitarian response plan.
(END) AMK / TMA
