Ebola, WHO: second largest recorded epidemic with rapid spread

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second largest ever recorded. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus indicated that at the current rate, the outbreak is on track to surpass the one that occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016.

Ghebreyesus also shared information on progress in the fight against the Ebola virus, specifying that two vaccines designed against the Bundibugyo Ebola virus have recently entered phase 1 of clinical trials in humans. These developments could represent a significant step in managing the outbreak.

So far, the outbreak has resulted in over 2,000 deaths, raising international concerns about the speed at which the virus is spreading. The WHO continues to monitor the situation and provide support to local health authorities.