The WHO has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on course to become the deadliest on record, potentially surpassing the West Africa outbreak of 2014 to 2016.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- The WHO warns the DR Congo Ebola outbreak could become the deadliest on record.
- The outbreak is set to eclipse West Africa's 2014 to 2016 Ebola outbreak if it continues at its current pace.
- The warning was issued by the WHO chief, according to Al Jazeera.
The World Health Organization has warned that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to become the deadliest ever recorded, according to Al Jazeera.
The WHO chief said the outbreak would eclipse West Africa’s Ebola outbreak of 2014 to 2016 if it continues at its current pace, the report said.
The West Africa outbreak referenced by the WHO remains the point of comparison for the current situation in DR Congo, underscoring the scale of concern among global health officials.
The warning signals mounting alarm over the trajectory of the outbreak, though the WHO’s comments as reported focus on the pace and potential scale rather than detailing specific response measures.
Al Jazeera reported the warning came directly from the head of the WHO, placing the outbreak among the most serious the organization is currently monitoring.
Why it matters
Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease, and an outbreak on course to become the deadliest on record signals a major public health emergency. The comparison to the 2014 to 2016 West Africa outbreak, one of the most devastating in history, highlights the potential human toll and the pressure on health systems responding to the crisis.
Frequently asked questions
Which outbreak could the DR Congo Ebola outbreak surpass?
According to Al Jazeera, the WHO chief said the current outbreak would eclipse West Africa's Ebola outbreak of 2014 to 2016 if it continues at its present pace.
Who issued the warning about the outbreak?
The warning was issued by the WHO chief, according to Al Jazeera.
What would make this outbreak the deadliest on record?
The WHO warned that if the outbreak continues at its current pace, it would become the deadliest Ebola outbreak on record.
Timeline
- DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreads to a sixth province
Al Jazeera: Ebola outbreak has killed 2,128 people out of around 4,566 recorded cases in the DRC, according to government figures.
- Ebola outbreak on track to be deadliest ever, WHO chief says
BBC World: The outbreak, declared on 15 May, has caused more than 2,000 deaths, with thousands more reported cases.
- DR Congo Ebola outbreak set to become deadliest on record, WHO warns
Al Jazeera: Outbreak to eclipse West Africa's Ebola outbreak of 2014 to 2016 if it continues at current pace, WHO chief says.