WHO says Ebola response catching up as confirmed DRC cases hit 344
World Health Organization officials said Wednesday the world is “catching up” with the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has caused 344 confirmed cases and 60 confirmed deaths, though major challenges remain.
“The outbreak had a big head start, and we’re still behind, but under the leadership of the government of DRC, we’re catching up,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo strain, has spread to neighboring Uganda, where 15 cases, including one death, have been confirmed.
WHO said improved testing has ruled out hundreds of initially suspected cases. Common Ebola tests do not detect the Bundibugyo strain, creating a backlog. WHO’s Abdirahman Mahamud said laboratories have conducted 1,445 tests, clearing nearly all pending cases, though 116 suspected cases still await testing. Teams are also reviewing 220 suspected deaths to determine whether Ebola was the cause.
Six people have recovered in Congo and two in Uganda, underscoring the importance of early treatment and access to care.
Response efforts continue to face obstacles, including limited testing capacity, difficulties tracing contacts, and blanket travel restrictions imposed by some countries that are disrupting supply chains. Only about 45% of contacts are being followed, far below the more than 90% needed to stay ahead of the outbreak, Tedros said.
Tedros said the outbreak may have begun as early as January, though investigations continue. WHO estimates the response will cost at least $115 million over the next three months, with about 35% funded so far. A broader response and fundraising plan with partners, including the Africa CDC and the governments of Congo and Uganda, will be launched Friday.
