**Health**
## WHO Raises Ebola Risk to ‘Very High’ in DR Congo Amid Persistent Challenges
**GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) has escalated its assessment of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) risk within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to ‘very high,’ citing persistent challenges in containing the ongoing outbreak.**
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, confirmed the revised classification, emphasizing that while the risk in the wider region is now deemed ‘high,’ the global risk of an Ebola pandemic remains ‘low.’
This heightened alert reflects the complex and volatile environment in eastern DRC, where the current outbreak, primarily affecting North Kivu and Ituri provinces, has faced significant hurdles. These include ongoing armed conflict, community mistrust and resistance to health interventions, and geographical barriers, all impeding effective contact tracing, vaccination efforts, and safe burial practices. The sporadic appearance of new cases in previously cleared areas or in individuals with no clear link to known chains of transmission further complicates containment efforts.
Neighboring countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan, are now designated as having a ‘high’ risk. This necessitates robust cross-border surveillance, preparedness measures, and rapid response capabilities to prevent international spread. Health authorities in these nations are implementing enhanced screening at borders, public awareness campaigns, and training for frontline health workers.
Despite the elevated regional concern, the global risk remains ‘low,’ largely due to intensive international and national efforts to ring-fence the outbreak and prevent wider dissemination. The WHO and its partners are deploying extensive resources, including epidemiologists, vaccinators, and public health experts, to support the DRC Ministry of Health in contact tracing, managing treatment centers, ensuring safe and dignified burials, and engaging communities.
**Understanding and Preventing Ebola:**
Ebola virus disease is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. Understanding its transmission and adhering to preventative measures is crucial for controlling its spread.
* **Transmission:** Ebola is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g., bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids. Sexual transmission is also possible.
* **Symptoms:** Symptoms can appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to the virus. These typically include sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (e.g., oozing from the gums, blood in the stools).
* **Key Prevention Advice:**
* **Practice rigorous hand hygiene:** Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
* **Avoid direct contact:** Do not touch sick individuals or deceased bodies suspected of having Ebola. Avoid contact with bodily fluids from infected persons.
* **Safe burial practices:** Ensure that safe and dignified burial practices are followed for individuals who have died from suspected or confirmed Ebola.
* **Report symptoms immediately:** If you are in an affected area and develop symptoms consistent with Ebola, such as sudden fever, extreme fatigue, muscle pain, or unexplained bleeding, seek immediate medical attention. Do not attempt to self-treat.
* **Cooperate with health authorities:** Support and cooperate with health screening measures and public health advisories in affected and high-risk regions.
The situation demands sustained international vigilance and local engagement to bring the tenacious outbreak under control and mitigate its devastating impact.
