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The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, says Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have risen to 344 confirmed infections, with 60 deaths recorded so far.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Mr Ghebreyesus said the backlog of suspected Ebola cases had dropped significantly from more than 1,000 to 116 as laboratory testing capacity improved across affected areas.
The WHO chief gave the update after returning from the outbreak epicentre in Ituri Province, where he met political leaders, frontline health workers and community groups involved in the response.
According to him, WHO’s latest risk assessment remains very high at the national level, high at the regional level and low globally, despite ongoing efforts to contain transmission and strengthen surveillance.
He said confirmed cases had been reported across 24 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, underscoring the scale of the outbreak and challenges facing response teams.
“Treatment capacity has expanded with three centres and 80 beds now open in Bunia, plus units in Mongbwalu, Rwampara, Beni, Goma and Bukavu,” he said.
“Six people have recovered in DRC and two in Uganda, but contact tracing still lags at 45 per cent against the 90 per cent target needed to control spread.”
Mr Ghebreyesus said the outbreak had crossed international borders, with Uganda recording 15 confirmed cases and one death, including a Congolese resident who travelled through the United Arab Emirates.
He added that a US citizen infected in DRC remained under treatment in Germany, while WHO continued coordinating with Ugandan and UAE authorities on contact tracing and exposure-risk assessments.
The WHO Director-General identified five major challenges slowing response efforts and emphasised the urgent need for stronger surveillance systems, community engagement and improved operational access in affected regions.
“First, testing delays persist, so WHO is decentralising labs to Mongbwalu, Beni, Aru, Nyakunde and Tchomia. Second, only 45 per cent of contacts are being followed in DRC due to insecurity and displacement.
“Third, blanket travel restrictions are disrupting supply chains despite the WHO recommending exit screening instead.
“Fourth, community mistrust remains high, with some leaders still doubting Ebola is real. Building trust is now a core priority and Fifth, there are still no approved vaccines or therapeutics,” he said.
According to him, WHO has convened its Medical Countermeasures Network to accelerate trials and diagnostics, stressing that leadership, community ownership and trust remained essential to ending the outbreak successfully.
READ ALSO: WHO prioritises clinical trials for Bundibugyo Ebola treatments, vaccines
“Our ultimate measure of success is not whether we stop this outbreak. We will. DRC has stopped 16 previous Ebola outbreaks,” he said.
“The real measure is what we do to prevent the 18th and 19th, if communities survive Ebola only to die from malaria, malnutrition or other diseases,
“We have not really helped them.
“WHO pledged to stay after the outbreak ends to help build stronger health and humanitarian services under government leadership,’ he said. (NAN)
Super Eagles striker Akor Adams has revealed that the national team is not overly focused on its unbeaten record under coach Eric Chelle despite extending the streak after the 2-2 draw against Poland.
READ ALSO: Eric Ejiofor Urges Nigerians To Trust Eric Chelle After Super Eagles’ Impressive Run
Nigeria have now gone 24 matches without losing in normal time under the Franco-Malian tactician, but Adams insists the players are more concerned about improving performances and getting positive results.
“We are not too focused on the unbeaten record,” Adams said.
According to the Super Eagles forward, the team’s main objective remains continuous improvement and representing the country positively.
“Our focus is on performing better and getting results for Nigeria,” he implied.
Adams also praised Chelle for introducing a fresh tactical identity and philosophy to the national team since taking charge.
“The coach has brought a different dimension and philosophy to the team,” he noted.
The striker believes the tactical changes have contributed significantly to the team’s recent performances and growing confidence.
“You can see the improvements in the way we play,” he added.
Nigeria’s unbeaten run under Chelle has continued generating optimism among supporters as the team rebuilds following recent disappointments.
“The team appears more organized and competitive now,” many football observers believe.
The Super Eagles continue preparing for future competitive fixtures while integrating new players into the squad.
“There is growing belief around the direction of the team,” supporters continue to say.
For Akor Adams, the message is clear.
Records are not the priority.
Improvement and results matter more.
And Eric Chelle’s philosophy is helping shape a stronger Super Eagles side.
Because lasting success in football comes from growth, consistency, and collective ambition.
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