Ebola had 'big head-start' but response catching up: WHO
The outbreak, which was declared on May 15 in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has so far been confirmed to have infected 359 people, including 61 who have died. But the actual numbers could be far higher, with the virus believed to have been spreading under the radar for some time before it was detected. “The outbreak had a big head-start and we’re still behind,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters at the UN health agency’s headquarters in Geneva, but insisted that “we’re catching up”.
- ▪The outbreak, which was declared on May 15 in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has so far been confirmed to have infected 359 people, including 61 who have died.
- ▪But the actual numbers could be far higher, with the virus believed to have been spreading under the radar for some time before it was detected.
- ▪“The outbreak had a big head-start and we’re still behind,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters at the UN health agency’s headquarters in Geneva, but insisted that “we’re catching up”.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Ebola had 'big head-start' but response catching up: WHO AFP Published June 3, 2026 0 Red Cross workers disinfect after handling the body of a person who died of Ebola, as aid agencies intensify efforts to contain a new Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain, at the Centre Medical Evangelique (CME) in Hoho commune of Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 21, 2026. — Reuters/File Listen to article 1x 1.2x 1.5x comments Join our Whatsapp Channel Add Dawn as a trusted source The Ebola outbreak raging in central Africa had a “big head-start”, the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief acknowledged Wednesday, but insisted efforts to rein in the deadly virus were making progress.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Dawn.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Dawn
