WHO Chief Highlights Challenges in DRC Ebola Outbreak
On Wednesday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), expressed concern over the violent attacks targeting health workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He noted that these incidents have made contact tracing for Ebola nearly “impossible,” seriously hampering efforts to manage the outbreak.
“Ebola containment relies heavily on access for humanitarian aid,” Tedros remarked in a social media post. He pointed out that ongoing conflicts are leading to mass displacements, which push people into overcrowded camps and disrupt essential containment routes.
He also stated, “When health facilities are attacked, tracking infected individuals and their contacts becomes exceedingly difficult, putting frontline health workers at great risk.” He added, “It’s tough to foster trust in communities or isolate sick individuals amidst ongoing violence.”
Currently, Tedros is en route to the DRC, where he plans to meet with Ebola victims and their families to understand their concerns and supervise containment actions. Ahead of his visit, he published an open letter explaining his purpose and urging for a ceasefire amid the violence caused by various armed groups in the country.
“We cannot achieve our goals if those we aim to help face obstacles or danger,” he emphasized. “We are collaborating closely with all relevant partners to ensure the response reaches all communities that require it, leaving no one behind regardless of their location or circumstances.”
Tedros made a direct appeal to all conflicting parties: “Please declare a ceasefire, even if just temporarily. Allow medical workers access. Innocent lives are being lost to Ebola for no good reason. Families are in distress, and children are suffering. No conflict justifies letting people die from a preventable disease.”
The WHO declared the Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Ituri, DRC, a global health emergency on May 17 after acknowledging a delayed response to the outbreak’s signs. It has been identified that the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which lacks a vaccine and has limited treatment options. As of Thursday, authorities confirmed that 101 individuals have been diagnosed with the disease, resulting in 221 fatalities, with nearly 1,000 others categorized as “probable” cases.
While the WHO has faced criticism for its slow response, Tedros mentioned that the virus is spreading faster than initially anticipated. He noted that while the global risk remains “low,” the situation on the ground in Ituri is “very unstable,” thus making local outbreaks considerably “high risk.”
The eastern part of the DRC is notoriously unstable, with numerous armed groups clashing over control of valuable mining regions. The violence not only threatens the lives of UN peacekeepers and humanitarian workers but also contributes to a dangerous industry that exploits vulnerable populations, including children, in hazardous mining activities. Previous Ebola outbreaks revealed a surge in cases tied to the mass displacement initiated by warring factions.
Compounding the challenge is a significant mistrust of international health workers among locals, some of whom deny Ebola’s existence, fearing it could serve as an excuse for “population control.” Traditional burial practices, which can facilitate the disease’s spread, have also met resistance, as has the WHO’s image in light of a serious sexual abuse scandal in 2018-2019, where staff members faced accusations of misconduct.
Throughout the ongoing outbreak, health workers report facing mob violence from community members who doubt the reality of Ebola. Instances of attackers attempting to set fire to makeshift medical centers and physically assaulting health workers have been documented, leading to the escape of confirmed Ebola patients and exposing more individuals to the virus.
In his letter, Tedros acknowledged the anger and distrust present in some communities, recognizing that “trust must be earned, not assumed.” He refrained from directly addressing the previous scandal or the organization’s slow identification of the current outbreak.
He reiterated the WHO’s commitment to conducting “safe and dignified burials,” assuring that he would not be overseeing the situation from a distant office but rather would be present at the ground level.
