Ebola Outbreak Spreads in DR Congo, WHO Chief Tedros Heads to Frontline

Central News Agency, Geneva, May 28. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced today that he is traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo to support the WHO team and healthcare workers in their fight against the Ebola virus, expressing confidence that they can overcome the deadly virus. According to AFP, the latest data as of the 24th shows that since the Democratic Republic of Congo declared an Ebola outbreak in mid-May, 10 confirmed deaths and 223 suspected deaths have been recorded, with the total number of confirmed and suspected cases exceeding 1,000. Tedros is concerned that the instability caused by 30 years of conflict in the eastern region of the country could make controlling the outbreak even more difficult. Tedros posted on social media platform X, "I am on my way to the DRC," noting that the country is facing another Ebola outbreak, with "Ituri province at the epicenter." He added, "I will be on the ground with the WHO team, partners, and the incredible health workers who continue to fight the outbreak, working hand-in-hand under the leadership of the DRC government." Tedros also reached out to the people of the DRC, saying, "I want to be with you during this difficult time. I want you to know that you are not alone." Experts suspect that this outbreak has been spreading covertly for some time and is caused by the rarer Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.