The Director-General of the World Health Organization has said he is travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo to support response efforts as health workers battle a deadly Ebola outbreak in the country.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on Thursday that he was en route to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, expressing confidence that the outbreak can still be contained despite rising cases and insecurity.
“On my way to DRC. Ebola is back. Ituri province is bearing the brunt,” Tedros wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
According to the latest figures up to May 24, the World Health Organization has recorded 10 confirmed deaths and 223 suspected deaths linked to the outbreak since it was declared in mid-May. More than 1,000 confirmed and suspected cases have also been reported.
The WHO chief warned that ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo, which has faced instability for decades, is making outbreak control significantly more difficult.
“I will be on the ground with our WHO teams, partners, and the extraordinary health workers who have never stopped fighting,” Tedros said, adding that operations are being carried out alongside government authorities.
He noted that the country has previously overcome Ebola outbreaks multiple times, expressing optimism that this one could also be defeated.
“Sixteen times, this country has defeated Ebola. The 17th will be no different. But we must act now, together,” he said.
The current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Health authorities say the outbreak originated in Ituri province, a remote and conflict-affected region where state presence has been limited for years.
The World Health Organization has also warned that the true scale of the outbreak may be larger than reported, as transmission is believed to have spread undetected in some communities.
Officials continue to urge rapid coordination, surveillance, and international support to prevent further spread of the virus.
