As the spread of the Ebola virus grew in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the national-level risk by one notch. Concerns also emerged that conflict and insecurity are delaying the disease-control response.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 22nd that "we are adjusting the Ebola risk to very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level," Reuters and The Associated Press reported.
WHO had earlier judged that Ebola infections constituted an emergency requiring a response by the international community, but had assessed the likelihood of international spread as low.
Tedros said on X (formerly Twitter) that the Ebola situation in DR Congo is deeply concerning. He said confirmed cases have risen to 82, with 7 deaths among them. Suspected cases increased to about 750, with 177 deaths.
The situation in Uganda was assessed as more stable than in DR Congo. Uganda reported no new suspected cases; to date, there have been 2 confirmed cases and 1 death.
Tedros said an American patient transferred to Germany also tested positive. Separately, he said he is aware of a report that one American classified as a high-risk contact was transferred to the Czech Republic.
There were also comments that international attention is insufficient. According to Reuters, WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Yakoub Jenanvi said Ebola is drawing less attention compared with the hantavirus incident on an Atlantic cruise ship earlier this month.
Director-General Jenanvi said, "It would be a big mistake to underestimate Ebola, especially the Bundibugyo variant for which we have no vaccine."
Tedros said that while surveillance and testing systems are improving and changing the tallies, response efforts are being delayed by violence and security instability.
The Associated Press reported that the infected area in DR Congo is a region where conflicts between armed groups continue and large numbers of displaced people have emerged.