WHO raised the Ebola outbreak risk level in the Democratic Republic of Congo to “very high”. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is “spreading rapidly” and now poses a “very high” risk at the national level.
The WHO raised its risk assessment within Congo from “high” to “very high”, while maintaining that the regional risk remains high and the global risk low.
Tedros said 82 Ebola cases and seven deaths have been officially confirmed in Congo, but warned the outbreak is likely much larger, with nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths reported.
In neighboring Uganda, authorities confirmed two Ebola cases linked to travelers from Congo, including one death. WHO said the situation there remains stable.
The United Nations announced the release of $60 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund to support response efforts in Congo and the region.
The United States has also pledged $23 million in aid and said it plans to fund up to 50 Ebola treatment clinics in affected areas of Congo and Uganda.
- Source: AP