WHO sees 'encouraging signs' in Congo Ebola fight, but warns cases in one eastern region are surging

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting encouraging signs in the fight against an Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo's Ituri province, while warning that case counts are rapidly increasing in another area. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's Director-General, noted progress in Ituri where transmission rates are decreasing, but emphasized that the epidemic continues to spread and claim lives across seven provinces.

In South Kivu, there have been no new cases since May, yet North Kivu is experiencing a surge, with weekly case numbers nearly doubling from approximately 100 to over 200 over the last two weeks. The region's vastness complicates efforts to tackle a single outbreak. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's director for epidemic and pandemic management, expressed cautious optimism about the situation in Ituri but stressed the need for realism regarding the challenges ahead.

Congo officials recently reported that the world's fastest-growing Ebola outbreak had spread to seven provinces and showed no signs of slowing down, having already caused over 7,200 cases and 3,500 deaths.