The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, arrived in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday amid growing concerns over an outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
Tedros visited Bunia, a city at the centre of the outbreak, where health authorities continue to battle the spread of the virus despite improved healthcare facilities and the arrival of additional humanitarian support.
During his visit, the WHO chief is expected to tour an Ebola treatment centre and hold meetings with local authorities, healthcare workers, and families affected by the disease.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Tedros stressed the importance of strengthening efforts at the outbreak’s epicentre.
“The best way to address this is to provide all the necessary support to fight the disease at its source and continue offering every assistance needed,” he said.
According to the WHO, authorities have so far recorded 906 suspected Ebola cases and 223 suspected deaths linked to the outbreak.
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment, raising concerns among health officials as they work to contain its spread.
