WHO: Congo Ebola outbreak can still be brought under control within three months

Published Aug 18, 11:42 AM UTC

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) can still be brought under control within three months, despite it becoming the deadliest in the country's history with over 2,300 deaths. The outbreak, which has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, is facing significant challenges including exhausted health workers, community mistrust, and security issues that are hindering contact tracing and containment efforts. Multiple news sources report that the virus is outpacing response capabilities, creating a 'perfect storm' that makes the outbreak difficult to stop. The DRC's health ministry and international partners continue to deploy vaccines and treatments, but the complex operating environment in the eastern part of the country remains a major obstacle.