Doha: The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is severely hindering efforts to curb the Ebola outbreak, urging for an immediate ceasefire in the region.
According to Qatar News Agency, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's Director-General, highlighted the dire situation in the east of the country, describing it as a "catastrophic collision of disease and conflict." The Ebola outbreak in Ituri province is progressing faster than the current response measures can handle.
Dr. Tedros emphasized that the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is the strain currently spreading in the DRC, lacks an approved vaccine or treatment. This situation makes halting the transmission entirely dependent on gaining humanitarian access to the affected areas.
WHO's records indicate that there have been 10 confirmed Ebola deaths and 220 suspected deaths in the DRC, along with 900 suspected cases since the outbreak was declared by Kinshasa on May 15, 2026.