WHO's Tedros Says Ebola Response Must Be Scaled Up To Tackle Congo Outbreak
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88)
Published September 03, 2026 | 09:30 AM
GENEVA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 03rd Sep, 2026) The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday stated that the Ebola response needs to be intensified to contain the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with tracking chains of transmission still posing a challenge.
"Until every chain is identified and broken, the epidemic will persist and continue to pose a threat to DRC, its neighboring countries, and the region as a whole," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's Director-General, during a press conference in Geneva.
The latest data from the Congolese government shows that the Ebola outbreak has claimed 3,007 lives and infected 6,186 individuals in the country. The current epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, is the largest and deadliest in Congo's history, surpassing the 2018-2020 epidemic.
The outbreak, which was formally declared in Ituri province on May 15th, has since spread to six provinces despite concerted efforts from Congolese authorities, the WHO, and aid groups.
However, there is optimism regarding potential progress in treatments and vaccines. The WHO aims to initiate clinical efficacy trials of potential vaccines next month or in November, while trials for treatments are already underway.