‘We’re still behind’ in Congo’s Ebola outbreak even as testing improves, WHO chief says

[AP Photo]

Congo’s Ebola outbreak remains ahead of response efforts despite improved testing capacity, according to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Speaking after a visit to the outbreak’s epicenter, Tedros said health authorities were “catching up” but warned that contact tracing remains inadequate.

The outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain, declared in mid-May in eastern Congo, has caused 60 deaths among 344 confirmed cases. Suspected cases have dropped sharply from 906 to 116. Neighboring Uganda has reported 15 confirmed infections, including one death.

Tedros said laboratory and diagnostic capacity has expanded, but only about 45% of identified contacts are being monitored, far below the 90% threshold needed to contain transmission.

Violence continues to complicate operations. Congo’s military said militants from the Allied Democratic Forces, linked to the Islamic State group, killed 16 people in North Kivu province on Tuesday.

Health workers also face community mistrust, attacks on treatment centers and misinformation about the disease. With no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, experts warn that developing and deploying a potential vaccine could take months. At least five patients have recovered.