The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has announced plans to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support health workers battling the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the country.
Tedros made the announcement on Thursday through a post on X, expressing confidence that the outbreak would eventually be contained despite growing concerns over insecurity in eastern DR Congo.
According to the WHO’s latest figures as of May 24, the outbreak has recorded 10 confirmed deaths and 223 suspected deaths, with more than 1,000 confirmed and suspected cases since the outbreak was officially declared in mid-May.
The WHO chief noted that the outbreak is heavily affecting Ituri Province, where health officials continue to face major challenges due to years of armed conflict and weak state presence.
“On my way to DRC. Ebola is back. Ituri province is bearing the brunt,” Tedros wrote.
“I will be on the ground with our WHO teams, partners, and the extraordinary health workers who have never stopped fighting, all working under the leadership of the government of DRC.”
He added that the country had previously defeated Ebola outbreaks multiple times and expressed optimism that the latest outbreak would also be overcome.
“Sixteen times, this country has defeated Ebola. The 17th will be no different. But we must act now, together,” he said.
Health officials have confirmed that the current outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
The WHO has also warned that the actual spread of the virus may be significantly higher than the officially reported figures, amid fears that the outbreak circulated undetected for some time before being identified.
