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Ebola outbreak in Congo: WHO chief warns of ‘very high’ risk

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially raised the public health risk level of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from "high" to "very high" at the national level.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the virus is "spreading rapidly," while also indicating that the regional risk remains high and the global risk is low.
 Currently, there are 82 laboratory-confirmed cases and 7 confirmed fatalities. Due to delays in surveillance, officials believe the actual scale of the outbreak is significantly larger, with nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths. The situation in the neighboring country of Uganda is presently stable, with 2 confirmed cases and 1 death associated with individuals who traveled from the DRC.

This particular outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Unlike more prevalent strains, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments available at this time.Health officials have noted that the virus was "silently disseminating" for several weeks without detection, as its initial symptoms closely mimic those of malaria or typhoid.

 The epicenter of the outbreak is situated in the northeastern Ituri province, a region plagued by conflict, mass displacement, and significant community distrust. This challenging environment severely impedes contact tracing efforts, which currently have a low follow-up rate of 21%. In one incident, frustrated relatives attacked and set fire to a hospital in Rwampara after authorities declined to release the highly infectious body of a victim.

The United Nations has allocated $60 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund, while the United States has committed $23 million to enhance response infrastructure.

Due to the absence of approved countermeasures, the World Health Organization (WHO) is prioritizing the development of plans to test an experimental antiviral medication known as Obeldesivir against the Bundibugyo strain. Simultaneously, researchers at Oxford University are working on a new vaccine that may commence clinical trials within a timeframe of two to three months.

Meanwhile, the United States has enacted travel restrictions for individuals arriving from the affected areas. Nevertheless, the Director of the WHO Emergency Alert & Response Operations has publicly criticized travel bans, advocating for nations to concentrate on humanitarian access and global solidarity to effectively manage the virus at its origin.

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