DR Congo Faces 'Catastrophic Collision' of Ebola and War, WHO Chief Warns
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urges immediate ceasefire to contain the outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is dramatically complicating efforts to combat a deadly Ebola outbreak.
The UN health agency recorded 10 confirmed Ebola deaths and 220 suspected deaths in DRC since mid-May, along with 900 suspected cases since Kinshasa declared the outbreak on May 15.
Experts suggest that the true spread of the virus is likely much wider as it has been circulating for some time.
The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted that there is no approved vaccine or treatment available for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola currently spreading in DRC.
He emphasized that stopping the transmission of Ebola depends entirely on humanitarian access.
However, insecurity poses a significant obstacle in eastern DRC, which has been plagued by conflict involving numerous armed groups over the past three decades.
State services are largely absent in rural areas of Ituri province, and clashes have led to mass displacement, pushing exposed contacts into overcrowded camps and severing containment corridors.
Health workers are at risk due to attacks on healthcare facilities, making it difficult to track cases and their contacts.
WHO urges all warring parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire in order to contain the outbreak and allow for safe and sustained access for medical teams.
The UN health agency recorded 10 confirmed Ebola deaths and 220 suspected deaths in DRC since mid-May, along with 900 suspected cases since Kinshasa declared the outbreak on May 15.
Experts suggest that the true spread of the virus is likely much wider as it has been circulating for some time.
The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted that there is no approved vaccine or treatment available for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola currently spreading in DRC.
He emphasized that stopping the transmission of Ebola depends entirely on humanitarian access.
However, insecurity poses a significant obstacle in eastern DRC, which has been plagued by conflict involving numerous armed groups over the past three decades.
State services are largely absent in rural areas of Ituri province, and clashes have led to mass displacement, pushing exposed contacts into overcrowded camps and severing containment corridors.
Health workers are at risk due to attacks on healthcare facilities, making it difficult to track cases and their contacts.
WHO urges all warring parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire in order to contain the outbreak and allow for safe and sustained access for medical teams.
