GENEVA -- The global risk posed by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Africa remains low despite rising case numbers in the affected region, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva, Tedros said the Ebola outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has so far resulted in 1,094 reported cases, including 277 deaths. Neighboring Uganda has also recorded 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths.
Despite efforts to scale up response measures and strengthen disease surveillance and detection capacities, significant challenges remain, Tedros said, warning that "the outbreak is continuing to outpace the response."
Contact tracing remains below the required level, while treatment and isolation capacities are insufficient and safe, dignified burials continue to pose major challenges, he said. The health system is under pressure, border closures are hampering response efforts, security incidents persist, and funding remains inadequate, he added.
Tedros said clinical trials of two Ebola therapeutics are expected to begin next week. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
