WHO chief visits epicentre of Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo as cases outpace response

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Bunia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday, May 30, as WHO and other agencies worked to contain the country’s latest Ebola outbreak.

Bunia, in Ituri province, has been described by WHO and reporting agencies as the epicentre or heart of the outbreak. AP reported that Tedros traveled there as the response struggled to keep pace with the spread of cases.

In remarks released on May 30, WHO said Tedros was in Bunia to support the outbreak response. The agency has said the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

The visit adds a visible diplomatic and public-health push to an emergency that WHO has been tracking since mid-May, when Congo declared its 17th Ebola outbreak. WHO later said the outbreak met the threshold for a public health emergency of international concern.

WHO and partners are continuing treatment, surveillance and supply efforts in the affected area. Open questions now include whether the visit leads to new funding, commitments or operational changes, and whether authorities publish updated case counts after the trip.