The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo late Thursday to show support amid the ongoing deadly Ebola outbreak. In a message posted on X, he addressed the Congolese people directly: "I want you to know that you are not alone. Together, we will overcome this outbreak."

Tedros pledged to do "everything in my power to help you" alongside the UN. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no vaccine or treatment. According to the WHO, the outbreak has caused 220 suspected deaths and 900 cases, and has spread to neighboring Uganda, where seven suspected cases have been reported.

Health authorities believe the true scale is likely wider, as the virus is thought to have circulated undetected for some time. The crisis prompted Uganda to shut its border "with immediate effect," despite WHO warnings that the move could backfire and cause the disease to spread. Tedros said the WHO and UN do not support travel bans because they "don't help much."

This is the 17th Ebola outbreak recorded in Congo, a country of over 100 million people. Complicating efforts is the epicenter's location in the east, a mineral-rich region scarred by violence and disorder from armed groups jostling for power for over three decades. Tedros appealed to all warring parties: "please, declare a ceasefire."

Regional health authorities are racing to contain the virus. The head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Jean Kaseya, said on Thursday that a vaccine against this strain could be ready by the end of 2026. "Our leaders are ready to invest. We are investing at technical level, at a strategic level, to make sure that (the vaccine) will happen," he added.

Source: www.dw.com