The Ebola outbreak remains out of control

Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned on Wednesday that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is still out of control.

“The disease preceded us, and we are still unable to control it,” Tedros said in Geneva after visiting the affected area in eastern Congo.

The deadly virus was likely circulating for weeks before it was discovered in mid-May. The rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, which has been confirmed, was not detected by conventional testing.

The World Health Organization announced 344 confirmed cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including 60 deaths. In neighboring Uganda, 15 cases of infection were confirmed.

The number of suspected cases decreased significantly from more than 1,200 to less than 170, with most samples taken from people suspected of being infected with Ebola testing negative.

The vast majority of samples collected have been analysed, the World Health Organization said, adding that it greatly helps the authorities expand testing capacity in the region.

Tedros pointed to a number of challenges. He said that it is still difficult to isolate and monitor people who have been in contact with infected people. So far, this has only been achieved for 45% of contacts, but more than 90% are needed to stop the spread.

More efforts must also be made to gain public trust so that patients can come forward and receive the best possible care in designated treatment centres.

Meanwhile, Tedros said that the World Health Organization is working urgently to develop vaccines and treatments for this type of virus.