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Addressing reporters in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the two month-old outbreak has continued to expand despite major efforts by the Government, WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other partners.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo far, 2,273 cases have been reported, with 796 deaths<\/strong>,\u201d he said. \u201cBy comparison, the 2018\u20132019 Ebola outbreak in DRC took more than 10 months to reach 2,000 confirmed cases.\u201d<\/p>\n Tedros said intense transmission in Ituri province in DRC\u2019s restive eastern region remains WHO’s biggest concern.<\/p>\n More than 80 per cent of new infections are being detected outside known contact lists<\/strong>, indicating that transmission chains are continuing undetected, while about two-thirds of deaths occur in communities among people who never receive treatment in a health facility.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite the progress we have made, the outbreak in DRC is continuing to outpace the response<\/strong>,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n Active armed conflict is also hampering operations. Dr Tedros noted that an Ebola treatment centre in Bunia was attacked on Wednesday<\/strong>, further complicating efforts to reach affected communities.<\/p>\n Treatment capacity has grown to more than 800 beds, laboratory capacity has increased from one laboratory to 16, and contact follow-up rates have risen to almost 80 per cent. More than 21,000 community health workers are being trained, while safe and dignified burials have also improved.<\/p>\n The Director-General highlighted encouraging progress in research and therapeutics, but even without approved vaccines or treatments, 377 people have recovered from the disease.<\/p>\n \u201cWith early diagnosis and safe care, this disease can be survived and stopped<\/strong>,\u201d Tedros said.<\/p>\n In neighbouring Uganda, however, WHO\u00a0reported encouraging progress.<\/p>\n The country\u2019s last confirmed Ebola patient was discharged from care on Thursday<\/strong> after testing negative for the virus twice, marking the start of the 42-day countdown before the outbreak can officially be declared over.<\/p>\n Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths since declaring its outbreak on 15 May. Fifteen infections were linked to importation from the DRC, while five resulted from local transmission.<\/p>\n WHO Representative Dr Kasonde Mwinga said the figures reflected the commitment of Uganda\u2019s health workers, communities and partners, but warned the country remains at risk.<\/p>\n Tedros stressed that containing the outbreak will require stronger political backing as well as financial support.<\/p>\n WHO’s joint continental preparedness and response plan with Africa CDC still faces a funding gap of more than $400 million.<\/p>\n \u201cWe urge donors to fill this gap and to help us control this outbreak as quickly as possible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is not charity. It’s an investment in national security.\u201d<\/p>\nTransmission still accelerating<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\u2018This disease can be survived\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Uganda milestone<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Funding gap threatens response<\/strong><\/h2>\n