The head of the World Health Organization has warned that the response to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must ramp up quickly to stop the disease from spreading further. The appeal underlined the fragility of health systems in parts of the country.
Ebola outbreaks in the region have tested responders repeatedly, with remote terrain, conflict and limited resources complicating efforts to trace contacts and isolate cases. Speed is critical, as delays allow the virus to reach new communities.
International agencies have moved to support local health workers with vaccines, treatment and logistics, drawing on lessons from earlier epidemics. Vaccination of frontline staff and close contacts has become a central part of the strategy.
Officials stressed that community trust is as important as medical supplies, since fear and misinformation can drive people away from care. Containing the outbreak, they said, will depend on reaching affected areas fast and keeping the public informed.
