WHO says Congo Ebola crisis could be contained within three months if funded

In a video briefing from Bunia, WHO incident manager Thierno Balde affirmed that the Ebola outbreak sweeping the Democratic Republic of Congo could still be halted within three months, assuming the necessary resources are mobilized. He noted that the disease has now reached a sixth province, challenging existing control measures. The WHO has secured roughly 60 % of the US$115 million funding target for the response and has recently expanded capacity by adding 400 beds over the past two weeks.

Balde emphasized that adequate supplies are critical to achieving the three-month containment goal. The WHO Emergency Committee convenes on August 18 to review the situation, following the agency’s declaration of a global health emergency on May 17. Continued international support will be essential to prevent further spread.