WHO head: In DRC, Ebola is not the biggest problem
statnews.com • • world
Key Points:
- The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed serious concern over the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, marking it as the third largest on record with at least 708 confirmed cases and 141 deaths.
- In northeastern DRC, the outbreak is largely unchecked due to community mistrust, low surveillance with only 28.4% contact follow-up, and widespread disbelief about Ebola's existence, compounded by chronic conflict, displacement, hunger, and other pressing health issues.
- Local communities prioritize armed conflict, hunger, and diseases like malaria over Ebola, viewing the disease as a "lesser evil" and suspecting international efforts are motivated by self-interest rather than concern for their wellbeing.
- Political instability and ongoing armed conflicts hinder effective outbreak containment and surveillance; Tedros emphasized the need for political solutions and broader humanitarian aid, including food assistance and health system strengthening.
- Uganda, with political stability and prior Ebola experience, has largely contained its outbreak, contrasting with the challenging situation in the conflict-ridden regions of northeastern DRC.