WHO wants to end Ebola outbreak in DRC in six months

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could end in six months, if everything goes as planned. The latest figures provided by the DRC Ministry of Health show 927 cases of Ebola, including 584 deaths.

The Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, acknowledged that any of the upcoming challenges could reverse the progress made so far in fighting the spread of the Ebola virus.

But he said enough progress has been made to believe that the Ebola outbreak in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri in Congo could be halted in six months.

He added that Ebola transmission was stopped in Beni, Mangina, Komanda and Oicha in North Kivu province.

"It has not spread to other parts of the country and has not spread to neighboring countries. I think everyone can agree that it is a fact and that we can say that it is good news. And the second is not only that it does not spread, it actually contracts, "Tedros said.

The WHO says the virus was contained in 11 of the 28 communities affected by Ebola. Since January, the number of new cases notified each week has been halved, from 50 to 25 cases on average.

Nevertheless, Tedros said that challenges remain. He said security was the number one concern, with armed groups posing a serious threat to Katwa and Butembo, the current epicenters of the disease.

Three weeks ago, Katwa and Butembo treatment centers were attacked and the Butembo center was attacked again last week while the WHO chief was traveling to the area.

Tedros said that another big challenge is to win the trust of communities. They are often wary of the demands of health workers who go against their traditional practices.

The head of the WHO said that a six-month delay was a feasible goal to end the Ebola outbreak. However, he added that the WHO is ready for any eventuality and that, if the goal is not achieved, the agency will continue its work in the region as long as it 's up to date. it will take to end the Ebola outbreak.