World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo late Thursday night. The trip is to show support for the African country amid the ongoing deadly Ebola outbreak.
“I want you to know that you are not alone,” Tedros said in a message posted on Instagram, addressing the Congolese people directly.
“Together, we will overcome this outbreak,” he said. He said he and the United Nations would “make every effort” to help you.
The current Ebola outbreak is caused by a type of virus called Bundibugyo. is currently No vaccine or treatment.
The Ebola outbreak has caused 220 suspected deaths and 900 cases, according to WHO, and has spread to neighboring Uganda, where there are seven suspected cases.
WHO health officials believe the true scale of the outbreak is likely reflected in part because the virus is believed to have circulated under the radar for some time.
The crisis in Congo prompted Uganda to close its border “with immediate effect”, despite WHO warnings that the move could backfire and spread the disease.
Tedros said he and the United Nations do not support travel restrictions to combat the outbreak because they “don’t help much.”
Call to make vaccine
The Ebola outbreak is the 17th recorded in Congo, a country of more than 100 million people.
Complicating efforts against the disease is that the epicenter of the outbreak is in the east, a mineral-rich region that has been wracked by violence and chaos from various armed groups that have been struggling for power for more than three decades.
“Conflict and displacement make everything difficult,” Tedros said. “I am making a direct appeal to all warring parties in the region: Please, declare a ceasefire.”
As regional health officials race to contain the virus, the head of the African Union’s health agency said on Thursday that a vaccine against the strain could be ready by the end of the year.
“We can tell you with certainty that by the end of this year, 2026, Africa CDC will ensure that we have a vaccine and medicine against Bundibugyo,” said Jean Cassia, head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Our leaders are ready to invest. We are investing at the technical level, at the strategic level, to ensure that (the vaccine) will arrive,” he said.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico