WHO chief expresses concern over speed and scale of Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda

Geneva, Switzerland. The head of the World Health Organization on Tuesday expressed deep concern about the speed and scale of the Ebola outbreak as case numbers rise. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there have been at least 500 suspected cases and 130 suspected deaths since the outbreak began.

Latest figures and locations

Health authorities later reported 131 fatalities associated with the outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. A daily bulletin cited 516 suspected cases and 33 confirmed cases in Congo, as well as two confirmed cases in neighbouring Uganda.

WHO response and operational updates

Addressing members of the World Health Assembly meeting this week in Geneva, Tedros said the “numbers will change as field operations are scaling up, including strengthening surveillance, contact tracing and laboratory testing.” He said, “I’m deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic.”

Emergency Committee meeting

Tedros said a meeting of the WHO’s Emergency Committee was scheduled for later on Tuesday to discuss the outbreak. The committee is made up of international experts who provide technical advice and recommendations to the WHO chief.

Factors raising concern

Tedros cited several factors contributing to concern about potential further spread, including cases in urban areas such as Kampala, Uganda, and Goma in the DRC, as well as the conflict-affected province of Ituri. He said reported cases among health workers indicate healthcare-associated transmission.

Emergency funding

The WHO has approved $3.9 million in emergency funding to support national authorities responding to the outbreak.

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