The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday declared the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak an international health emergency, calling for more funds and support from other countries. The declaration followed a meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee for EVD in the DRC.
The outbreak has been ongoing for almost a year now and has killed more than 1,650 people in the DRC. About 12 new cases are reported daily, according to the WHO.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, said the formal emergency was declared because of the “concerning geographic spread of the virus.” The Committee cited recent developments in the outbreak including the first confirmed case in Goma, a city of almost two million people on the border with Rwanda. A priest who traveled to Goma by bus from Beni was tested positive for Ebola.
Tedros said the organization is working on a new plan to control the epidemic, which would cost hundreds of millions of dollars. He made an appeal to the international community to help with funds.
“It is time for the world to take notice and redouble our efforts,” said the WHO director-general. “We need to work together in solidarity with the DRC to end this outbreak and build a better health system. We all owe it to these responders — coming from not just WHO but also the government, partners, and communities — to shoulder more of the burden.”
He added the risk of Ebola in the DRC and neighboring countries including Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, Uganda, Central African Republic, Angola, Tanzania, Republic of Congo and Zambia remains high, the risk outside the region is low.
The WHO recommended that no borders be closed because of the declaration and that trade and travel to Congo not be restricted. It said such restrictions would cause a terrible economic impact on the region and hamper the fight to stop the outbreak.
