DRC Ebola outbreak could have begun as early as January, WHO chief says
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo may have started as early as January, according to the WHO chief. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the response is improving but is hindered by travel restrictions and community mistrust. He emphasized the need for better contact tracing and laboratory capacity to combat the outbreak effectively.
- ▪The outbreak has resulted in 344 confirmed cases and 60 deaths in DRC, along with 15 confirmed cases and one death in Uganda.
- ▪Dr. Tedros highlighted that only about 45% of contacts are being followed up due to insecurity and displacement in Ituri.
- ▪There is currently no vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, but some patients have survived with timely care.
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Doctors monitor a patient at an Ebola treatment centre run by Médecins Sans Frontières in Munigi, eastern DRC. Photograph: Jospin Mwisha/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenDoctors monitor a patient at an Ebola treatment centre run by Médecins Sans Frontières in Munigi, eastern DRC. Photograph: Jospin Mwisha/AFP/Getty ImagesGlobal developmentDRC Ebola outbreak could have begun as early as January, WHO chief saysTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the virus ‘had a big head start’ but that the response was catching upSupported byAbout this contentKat Lay Global health correspondentWed 3 Jun 2026 13.29 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could have begun as early as January, the head of the World Health Organization said, giving the…
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