The WHO warns that the Ebola outbreak in Congo has outpaced its response as Uganda reaches a milestone

Overcome journalists in Geneva, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak, which has been going on for two months, continues to spread despite great efforts from the Government. WHOAfrica Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other partners.

“So far, 2,273 cases have been reported, with 796 deathshe said. “For comparison, 2018–2019 Ebola the outbreak in Congo took more than 10 months to reach 2,000 confirmed cases.”

Transmission is still accelerated

Tedros said intense transmission in Ituri province in Congo’s restive eastern region remained WHO’s biggest concern.

More than 80 percent of new infections were detected outside known contact listsshows that the chain of transmission remains undetected, while around two-thirds of deaths occur in people who have never received treatment at a health facility.

“Despite the progress we have made, the outbreak in Congo continues to occur continues to exceed the responsehe warned.

Active armed conflict also hampers operations. Dr Tedros noted that Ebola the care center in Bunia was attacked on Wednesdayfurther complicating efforts to reach affected communities.

‘This disease can be cured’

Treatment capacity has grown to more than 800 beds, laboratory capacity has increased from one laboratory to 16 laboratories, and the contact follow-up rate has increased to nearly 80 percent. More than 21,000 public health workers are being trained, while safe and dignified burials have also been improved.

The Director General highlighted encouraging progress in research and therapies, but even without a vaccine or approved treatment, 377 people have recovered from the disease.

“With early diagnosis and safe treatment, the disease can be sustained and stoppedTedros said.

Ugandan historical milestone

But in neighboring Uganda, WHO reported encouraging progress.

The country’s last confirmed Ebola patient was discharged from treatment on Thursday after testing negative for the virus twice, marking the start of the 42-day countdown before the outbreak is officially declared over.

Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths since declaring its outbreak on May 15. Fifteen infections were linked to imports from Congo, while another five were caused by local transmission.

WHO representative Dr Kasonde Mwinga said the figures reflected the commitment of health workers, communities and partners in Uganda, but warned that the country still faced risks.

Funding gaps threaten the response

Tedros emphasized that overcoming the outbreak will require stronger political and financial support.

WHO’s joint preparedness and response plan with Africa CDC still faces a funding gap of more than $400 million.

“We urge donors to fill this gap and help us control this outbreak as quickly as possible,” he said.

“This is not charity. This is an investment in national security.”

United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEFalso request additional resources, warned this week that only 25 percent of the funding needed for the Ebola response is currently available.

During a visit to Ituri, UNICEF Regional Director Gilles Fagninou said This epidemic can still be overcome if governments, communities and humanitarian partners act more quickly and collectively.

“We know how to stop this epidemic,” Fagninou said. “The challenge is not a lack of solutions, but a lack of funding to implement those solutions at the scale required.”