WHO Director-General visits Ebola-hit region in Democratic Republic of Congo

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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported 121 confirmed cases of Ebola, including 17 deaths and 246 suspected fatalities. The World Health Organization’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will travel to Ituri province, where the outbreak is concentrated, to provide support.

Tedros stated that he wants to assure the public that they are not alone in the fight against the disease. He also expressed appreciation for the health workers in the eastern province, who have been treating patients and are being treated themselves.

The DRC has reported a total of 1,077 suspected cases, with authorities estimating that the number of casualties may be higher. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which does not have approved vaccines or treatments available.

Work is underway to develop a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, according to Jean Kaseya, head of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). A cargo plane carrying aid donated by the European Union has delivered supplies, including masks, gloves, boots, and medications, to the northeastern town of Bunia.

Health workers have been struggling with limited supplies, leading some doctors to wear expired medical masks while treating suspected patients. The WHO’s Tedros made a direct appeal to armed groups in the region, asking them to declare a ceasefire to allow health workers to operate safely.

The government has mobilized resources to combat the outbreak, including releasing $20m. The US has allocated an additional $80m to help combat Ebola in DRC and neighboring Uganda, bringing the total US aid to $112m since the outbreak began.

Regional countries are also taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus, with Uganda ordering the closure of borders for at least four weeks. Eight Ebola cases have been confirmed in Uganda, including one death.

Source: Al Jazeera