WHO chief visits epicentre of Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo as cases outpace response

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has visited Bunia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as the country battles a fast-moving Ebola outbreak that health officials say is outpacing the response.

AP reported on Monday that Congo had at least 282 confirmed Ebola cases and more than 1,000 suspected cases, with most confirmed infections concentrated in Ituri province. WHO said the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

The WHO Regional Office for Africa said five people had recovered from the disease, including four health workers, and that a refurbished Ebola treatment centre had been handed over in Bunia. The centre can be expanded beyond its initial 24-bed capacity.

Tedros visited Bunia on May 30 and 31, according to WHO and UN Geneva, as the agency pressed for community trust and a stronger local response.

The Bundibugyo strain has no licensed vaccine or approved treatment, which raises the stakes for containment as the outbreak continues to grow.

The latest update underscores the pressure on health workers in Ituri province, where officials are trying to trace cases, treat patients and slow transmission while new infections continue to be reported.