The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for increased international support to combat the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where more than 1,000 confirmed cases and 254 deaths have been reported.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that 100 patients have recovered from the disease, demonstrating that timely healthcare interventions can significantly improve survival rates.
Providing an update on the outbreak, Tedros said WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners have worked closely with the DRC’s Ministry of Health over the past month to strengthen response efforts. Measures have included expanding Ebola treatment centres, increasing laboratory and disease surveillance capacities, training healthcare workers in clinical care and infection prevention, and enhancing community engagement.
Despite these efforts, Tedros stressed that much more remains to be done. He called for additional treatment facilities, more trained health and care workers, expanded testing capabilities and stronger community-based support teams to help contain the virus.
“We need sustained and safe access to reach all affected people,” he said, while urging continued solidarity from the international community to help bring the outbreak under control.
The WHO chief also emphasized that lasting peace in the DRC is essential for effectively addressing the health emergency and protecting affected communities.