The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the ongoing war in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is seriously hampering efforts to prevent the Ebola epidemic and has called for an immediate ceasefire in the country.
Modern.az reports that this was stated by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus. He noted that a severe humanitarian situation has arisen in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as a result of the ongoing disease and conflict. According to him, the Ebola epidemic spreading in Ituri province exceeds the existing intervention capabilities. The Director-General added that there is no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He emphasized that the prevention of infection depends entirely on the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.
According to WHO, 10 confirmed deaths from the Ebola virus have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the epidemic was declared on May 15. In addition, 220 suspected deaths and 900 probable infections have occurred.
It should be recalled that on May 17, WHO declared an emergency due to the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. On May 22, the organization stated that the risk level in Congo was very high. The head of WHO noted that one of the main factors complicating the situation is the spread of a rare variant of the virus. Currently, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment against this variant.
