WHO calls for scaled-up Ebola response in Democratic Republic of Congo

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World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for a scaled-up response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo after fatalities exceeded 3,000. The epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo species, became the deadliest in the country's history and is currently the second-largest globally behind the 2014-2016 West African outbreak. Ghebreyesus cited unidentified transmission chains and unsafe burials as primary drivers of the virus's spread and requested $1.3 billion in international funding to support the government-led response plan.

Consequences

The epidemic will continue to pose a threat to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the surrounding region until every transmission chain is identified and broken. Failure to secure the requested $1.3 billion in funding could hinder efforts to control the outbreak and prevent further spread.

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