WHO Chief: Congo Ebola Response Still Lagging Despite Testing Gains

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said Wednesday that Congo's Ebola outbreak began with momentum that responders have not yet overcome.

"The outbreak had a big head start, and we're still behind," Ghebreyesus told reporters. He noted that the medical community was making progress in catching up with the virus's spread.

The WHO chief attributed delays partly to security challenges in the affected region. Armed groups have launched attacks that disrupt outbreak response operations, including testing, treatment, and vaccination campaigns.

Testing capacity has expanded in recent weeks, according to Ghebreyesus, marking one area where the response has gained ground. He did not specify the exact testing numbers or identify which facilities had enhanced their capacity.

Congo has battled multiple Ebola outbreaks in recent years. The virus spreads through contact with blood or body fluids of infected people or animals, and there is no cure, though supportive care and early treatment improve survival rates.

The combination of disease containment difficulties and security risks has strained health systems already struggling with limited resources. Ghebreyesus's comments acknowledged the gap between outbreak progression and the speed at which response teams can identify cases and isolate patients.

The WHO has deployed staff to Congo to assist with outbreak response. Health authorities continue efforts to trace contacts of confirmed cases and vaccinate high-risk populations.