World Needs to Find the 'Will' to Contain Ebola

Key Points:

• Jeremy Konyndyk, a veteran of Ebola response efforts, warns that the current outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda could surpass previous crises due to its undetected spread, conflict zone setting, and involvement of a strain lacking approved vaccines or treatments.
• The 2014 West Africa and 2018 eastern Congo Ebola outbreaks were contained through massive, coordinated efforts led by wealthy nations and the WHO, highlighting the need for a similar global response now.
• Konyndyk criticizes the U.S. for hindering Ebola response efforts by closing agencies like USAID, reducing CDC staff, and withdrawing from the WHO, which undermines the necessary large-scale international coordination.
• With millions displaced, growing mistrust of health workers, and limited resources, Konyndyk calls for an urgent, comprehensive global effort to contain the virus before it gains a decisive advantage.
• He emphasizes that while Ebola can still be contained, it requires the world to mobilize significant will and resources immediately to address the enormous challenges ahead.