WHO chief visits epicentre as Ebola outbreak escalates in DR Congo and Uganda
Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda escalates as WHO chief visits epicentre
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports 134 confirmed Ebola cases and 18 deaths across the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, as the outbreak spreads beyond initial hotspots. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, on Saturday to assess the crisis firsthand, meeting with health partners to coordinate an urgent response .
Suspected cases in DR Congo have now surpassed 1,077, with 121 confirmed infections and 17 fatalities since the outbreak was declared on May 15, according to the country’s Health Ministry. Uganda has closed its border in an effort to contain transmission, though cases have already crossed into its territory .
International aid is accelerating. Switzerland has allocated $3.8 million in emergency funding, while UNICEF has airlifted over 100 metric tons of medical supplies to protect frontline workers and affected communities. The shipment includes personal protective equipment, diagnostic kits, and therapeutic treatments . China has issued a travel warning, urging citizens to avoid non-essential trips to DR Congo, citing the WHO’s elevated alert level .
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has triggered a global health emergency. Previous WHO data indicated 1,077 suspected cases as of late May, with the epicentre shifting to Ituri Province. The rapid spread underscores the challenges of containment in conflict-affected regions, where access to healthcare remains limited.
WHO chief visits epicentre as Ebola outbreak escalates in DR Congo and Uganda
- france24
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Switzerland allocates $3.8M to combat Ebola in DR Congo Switzerland has allocated 3 million Swiss francs in emergency funding to contain the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the Bundibugyo virus has caused more than 900 suspected cases and prompted the WHO to declare a global health emergency.
yenisafak · 7 days ago
DR Congo Ebola outbreak: Suspected cases exceed 1,000 The Democratic Republic of Congos Health Ministry reported Wednesday that suspected Ebola cases have reached 1,077 with 121 confirmed infections and 17 deaths since the outbreak was declared on May 15, as neighboring Uganda closed its border to halt transmission.
yenisafak · 7 days ago
China warns citizens against Congo travel over Ebola outbreak Chinas Foreign Ministry on Friday urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing the Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 220 people and prompted the World Health Organization to raise its alert level to very high.
yenisafak · 7 days ago
UNICEF airlifts emergency Ebola supplies to DR Congo as cases surge UNICEF said on Thursday it has begun airlifting more than 100 metric tons of emergency supplies to the Democratic Republic of Congo to combat the escalating Ebola outbreak, warning that the shipment is critical to protect frontline health workers and support affected communities.
yenisafak · 7 days ago
WHO chief visits eastern DR Congo amid Ebola outbreak The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus traveled to Bunia, in DR Congo on Saturday to show his support to the residents of the capital of Ituri Province, the epicentre of a severe Ebola virus outbreak. There have been at least 1,077 suspected cases in the country since the outbreak was declared on May 15.
france24 · 7 days ago
WHO chief meets DR Congo partners as Ebola cases mount Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met with health and humanitarian partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday to coordinate the response to an Ebola outbreak that has reached 134 confirmed cases and 18 deaths across the country and neighboring Uganda, according to the World Health Organization.
yenisafak · 7 days ago