WHO: Ebola Epidemic Outpacing Containment Efforts

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the rapidly spreading Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda is outpacing efforts to contain it. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the number of suspected cases has reached 220.

Speaking at an African Union online meeting, Tedros said delays in detecting cases had left health officials "playing catch-up", and warned that the situation was likely to worsen before it improved.

Tedros announced he would travel to Congo, the center of the outbreak, on Tuesday, accompanied by WHO health crisis representative Chikwe Ihekweazu.

Uganda has reported two additional Ebola cases, bringing the number of confirmed infections to seven. Tedros also warned that neighbouring countries are at high risk and should take immediate action.

The WHO has declared the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain an international health emergency. Tedros said the situation is further complicated by the volatile security conditions in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, as well as the absence of an approved vaccine against this variant of the virus.

(reuters, bak)