WHO sees Ebola gains in Congo but warns outbreak remains severe
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is showing signs of slowing in some areas, but health officials warn the epidemic remains far from under control.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said transmission was declining in the hardest-hit parts of Ituri province, while South Kivu has reported no new cases since May.
North Kivu sees sharp rise
Tedros said weekly cases in North Kivu had nearly doubled in two weeks, rising from about 100 to more than 200.
More than 7,200 cases and 3,500 deaths have been reported across seven provinces. The African Union puts the cumulative total at 7,404 cases and 3,577 deaths.
Health agencies urge caution
WHO officials said recent trends offered cautious optimism but warned it was too early to conclude that the outbreak had peaked.
Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said some areas had recorded a decline but stressed that the decrease was not yet broad or sustained enough to declare the outbreak under control.
Conflict complicates response
The outbreak has spread across seven provinces, including areas affected by conflict and difficult access for health workers, complicating efforts to trace infections, isolate patients and prevent further transmission.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which no vaccine or treatment is specifically licensed for the strain.
