WHO warns of the worst Ebola epidemic in history in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus, reported that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has almost five thousand people infected and more than two thousand 300 deaths due to the Ebola outbreak, which is consolidating its position as the worst epidemic in the history of the African country.

The official noted that, following his statement on May 17, “the epidemic has spread rapidly, and the risk of further expansion both within the country and internationally remains high.”

Adhanom said that the most alarming thing is that people die “in their homes, in their communities, outside treatment centers and contact lists,” pointing to a chain of transmission that has not yet been identified.

The WHO Emergency Committee for the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo considered, after several analyses in response to the epidemic, that it constitutes an international public health emergency.

“We call for the cooperation of all governments and partners so that, working together, we redouble our efforts and mobilize the necessary resources to protect communities for the coming months,” he urged.