Audio By Carbonatix
The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday that the fast-moving Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda was outpacing response efforts, giving the latest number of suspected deaths as 220.
Addressing an online meeting of the African Union about the outbreak, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a delay in detecting Ebola cases meant responders were now "playing catch-up" and the epidemic was likely to get worse before it gets better.
Tedros said he would travel to Congo - the epicentre of the outbreak - on Tuesday with another senior WHO official responsible for addressing health emergencies, Chikwe Ihekweazu.
Earlier on Monday, neighbouring Uganda reported two more Ebola cases, taking its total number of confirmed cases to seven, and Tedros said other countries bordering Congo were at high risk and should take immediate action.
The WHO has declared the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola a public health emergency of international concern.
Tedros said containing the fast-moving outbreak was complicated by the fact that Congo's Ituri and North Kivu provinces were highly insecure, and that there were no approved vaccines for the Bundibugyo virus.
Latest Stories
-
Free MRI scans available at 37 Military Hospital as new diagnostic partnership takes effect
4 minutes -
Over 50% of Barekese forest cover lost as reservoir capacity drops by 30% – GWL
4 minutes -
Fire destroys GH¢80,000 worth of goods at Amenam in Eastern Region
6 minutes -
Stepson of Norway’s crown prince convicted of rape, sentenced to 4 years in prison
8 minutes -
Cocoa sector must become more resilient, prosperous and profitable – Finance Minister
13 minutes -
Wontumi appoints Atta Akyea as new lead counsel in ongoing criminal case following Appiah-Kubi’s withdrawal
16 minutes -
Gov’t to clarify presidency staffing claims and release roads contracts enquiry report
24 minutes -
We’re optimistic stabilising Iran-US tensions could push crude oil prices below $80 – COMAC CEO
25 minutes -
Rhode Island assures Black Stars hospitality throughout FIFA World Cup campaign
45 minutes -
Africa must strengthen political advisory capacity to meet emerging security challenges – KAIPTC, Austrian officials say
46 minutes -
France star Mbappe vows to increase defensive work
54 minutes -
Oil prices fall and shares jump after US-Iran deal announced
55 minutes -
Finance Minister opens 7th Steering Committee Meeting of Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative in Abidjan
57 minutes -
MMDAs to receive over 80% of Common Fund directly — Chief of Staff
59 minutes -
Kuami Eugene’s ‘Sweet Boy’: A dose of heartbreak, highlife and hitmaker energy
59 minutes