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WHO Chief Says Community Trust Key to Stopping Rare Ebola Strain

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that community trust will be key to containing the rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring Uganda.

Speaking in Bunia, the epicentre of the outbreak, Tedros said the importance of listening to local communities and encouraging early treatment as health teams battle the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.

More than 900 suspected cases and over 200 suspected deaths have been reported in the DR Congo, while confirmed cases were also recorded in Uganda. WHO and its partners are expanding response efforts, including increasing testing capacity and supporting healthcare services, while urging communities to remain vigilant and seek medical care early.

InFocus

Carmel Ndomba Mbikayi/UNICEF

A shipment of emergency Ebola response supplies arrives at Bunia airport in Ituri province, DR Congo.

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