**WHO Chief Warns of Urgent Need to Intensify Ebola Response in DRC**
**Geneva, Switzerland** – The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During a press briefing on Wednesday, he emphasized the critical need to identify and break every transmission chain of the virus to effectively contain the epidemic, which has already claimed over 3,000 lives.
The current outbreak is noted to be the largest and deadliest in DRC's history, with the speed of its spread marking it as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. Tedros highlighted that the situation poses a significant threat not only to the DRC but also to its neighboring countries and the wider region. He stated, “Until every chain is broken, the epidemic will continue to pose a threat.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the response efforts are falling short of established targets, with a staggering 80 percent of new cases occurring outside of known contact networks. This alarming statistic underscores the complexity of the outbreak, as many individuals who contract the virus do so without any known exposure to confirmed cases.
The response to the outbreak is further complicated by a multitude of factors, including ongoing conflicts in mineral-rich regions of the DRC, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and strikes by healthcare workers who have not been compensated. Cultural practices, particularly those surrounding burial rituals, have also contributed to the transmission of the virus, making containment efforts more challenging.
Tedros noted the uncertainty surrounding the number of individuals who may have come into contact with the virus prior to their deaths, indicating that there are likely unknown chains of transmission. “That means there are chains of transmission we don’t know about,” he explained.
In addition to the logistical and social challenges, the WHO chief pointed out a significant funding gap that is hampering response efforts. The United Nations agency is currently facing a shortfall of over $1 billion, which is essential for mounting an effective response to the outbreak. Tedros acknowledged the difficulties in securing funding, stating, “We know that we are making this request at a time when financing for humanitarian assistance has contracted, and when there are many other competing priorities. But as we know from previous Ebola outbreaks, we can control this epidemic if we choose to.”
Despite the severity of the outbreak, a DRC official announced that schools in the most affected areas have reopened this week. Initially, there were plans to shift to remote learning to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus; however, authorities determined that such a transition would significantly hinder students' education, presenting a greater risk than the Ebola outbreak itself.
The strain responsible for the current outbreak is the Bundibugyo variant, for which there are no approved treatments or vaccines available at this time. However, vaccine trials are actively underway, with the intention of deploying an effective vaccine immediately upon successful results.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community and health agencies are urged to mobilize resources and support to combat the outbreak effectively. The WHO's call to action highlights the urgency of addressing both the immediate health crisis and the underlying factors contributing to the outbreak's rapid spread.