WHO Chief Visits Bunia as Ebola Outbreak Spreads
The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has arrived in Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to coordinate the response to the deadly Ebola outbreak.
Ituri has become the epicentre of the crisis, with the virus already spreading across three eastern provinces. Since the outbreak was declared on May 15, health officials have recorded at least 1,077 suspected cases, including 246 deaths. In neighbouring Uganda, nine infections have been confirmed, with one fatality.
Dr. Tedros, who has been in the DRC since Thursday, said communities must play a central role in fighting the disease. While international partners are involved under the leadership of Kinshasa, he stressed that local communities understand the challenges better and are key to finding solutions. He explained that the WHO’s mission is to engage directly with people, assess how the response is working, and help address any obstacles.
The WHO chief also called for greater international support, warning that the organisation has so far received only a third of the funding needed to tackle the outbreak. He emphasised that without adequate resources, efforts to contain the virus will be severely limited.
Health experts believe the true scale of the outbreak may be wider than currently reported, as the virus is thought to have been circulating before it was detected. This raises concerns about hidden chains of transmission and the risk of further spread across borders.
The WHO has urged governments, donors, and partners to step up assistance, noting that Ebola is a highly contagious haemorrhagic fever that requires rapid and coordinated action. The organisation says strengthening surveillance, providing protective equipment, and supporting frontline health workers are critical to stopping the disease.
Officials in Bunia welcomed Dr. Tedros’s visit, saying it demonstrates the WHO’s commitment to working closely with affected communities. They believe his presence will help mobilise more resources and reinforce confidence in the international response.
The outbreak has already disrupted daily life in eastern DRC, where insecurity and population movement make containment efforts more difficult. Local leaders say community engagement is essential to overcoming mistrust and ensuring people follow health guidelines.
As the situation evolves, the WHO continues to warn that Ebola remains a serious threat to regional stability. The organisation insists that only a united effort involving governments, communities, and international partners can bring the outbreak under control.
Dr. Tedros’s visit highlights the urgency of the crisis and the need for sustained global support to protect lives and prevent the virus from spreading further across Africa.
