More than a month into the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, confirmed cases have surpassed 1,000 with 277 deaths, the World Health Organization reported. Neighboring Uganda has recorded 20 cases and two deaths.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that frontline responders have expanded care at unprecedented speed, but conditions on the ground remain challenging. Nearly 80 health workers have been infected.
A clinical trial of two antiviral treatments, MBP134 and remdesivir, is set to begin next week to combat Bundibugyo virus disease.
Political advocacy is urgently needed to improve humanitarian access. Despite isolated international cases, WHO maintains the global risk remains low.