WHO Sets Three-Month Goal to Control Congo Ebola Outbreak
The World Health Organization announced Wednesday it aims to control the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo within three months, though officials cautioned the epidemic would not be over by then. The outbreak, centered in the conflict-affected Ituri province, is spreading faster than any previous one, with 4,499 confirmed cases and 2,061 deaths. WHO expects a turnaround if all response efforts are implemented simultaneously across five transmission zones. The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15, triggering a public health emergency. Insecurity and weak infrastructure have hampered response, prompting WHO to prioritize contact tracing and triple treatment capacity to 3,000 beds within 12 weeks.