DRC Ebola outbreak could have begun as early as January, WHO chief says

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo may have begun as early as January, giving the virus "a big head start". Since the outbreak was identified in mid-May, the Bundibugyo virus has caused 344 confirmed Ebola cases, including 60 deaths in DRC, and 15 confirmed cases, including one death, in neighbouring Uganda.

Treatment centres are now established across Ituri province, the most affected part of DRC. The response has been hindered by blanket travel restrictions, which he said "are disrupting supply chains and hindering the response", and by high levels of community mistrust and low levels of contact tracing.

Insecurity and displacement in Ituri have made follow-up difficult, with only about 45% of contacts being traced; he said that needs to rise above 90% to get ahead of the outbreak. Suspected cases in DRC fell abruptly from more than 1,000 to 116 as officials worked through a testing backlog.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ituri province

drc, ebola, bundibugyo virus, tedros adhanom, ituri province, uganda, contact tracing, travel restrictions, testing backlog, community mistrust