Congo Ebola Crisis Escalates as WHO Clings to Three-Month Goal

The World Health Organization says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo can still be brought under control within three months, despite the disease continuing to spread and response efforts struggling to keep pace.

A WHO official said on Tuesday that containment remained achievable, even as the outbreak has become the second-deadliest Ebola epidemic ever recorded.

Earlier this month, the WHO said it believed the spread could be reversed within three months. Since then, however, the situation has deteriorated, with the virus spreading into a sixth province.

At least 2,325 people have died in what has become Congo's worst Ebola outbreak since the disease was first identified in the country.

The response is also facing a significant funding shortfall. The WHO is seeking $115 million to support efforts to contain the outbreak but has so far secured only about 60% of that amount.

Health officials are confronting several other major obstacles, including delays in detecting infections, overstretched disease surveillance teams and continuing armed conflict in affected areas.

Another challenge is the limited availability of vaccines and treatments specifically targeting the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which is responsible for the current outbreak.

Despite the mounting difficulties, the WHO maintains that the outbreak can still be brought under control if sufficient resources are mobilised and containment efforts are strengthened.