Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrives at Bunia airport in Bunia, Congo, on May 30, 2026.Moses Sawasawa/AP Photo
The chief of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reached Bunia on Saturday, the focal point of the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
According to a statement from the WHO, Ghebreyesus is scheduled to convene with local authorities and stakeholders to commend their dedication.
On Friday, the WHO reported a total of 134 confirmed cases and 18 confirmed fatalities in the DRC and the adjacent nation of Uganda. Currently, there are 906 suspected cases within the DRC.
Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrives at Bunia airport in Bunia, Congo, on May 30, 2026. Moses Sawasawa/AP Photo
Tedros engaged in discussions with DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, stating their mutual agreement that “community ownership of the response is a critical component for bringing the outbreak under control, and that the government’s experience in ending 16 previous Ebola outbreaks leaves it well placed to end this one.”
Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus washes his hands upon his arrival in Bunia, Congo, May 30, 2026. Moses Sawasawa/AP Photo
Furthermore, they discussed “how we will use this outbreak as an opportunity to strengthen the health system in Ituri and other provinces of the country, and improve services and emergency preparedness,” as conveyed in a post on his X account.
DRC Minister of Communication Patrick Muyaya informed ABC News on Friday that there is no cause for alarm, emphasizing that the nation possesses extensive experience in managing numerous prior Ebola outbreaks and is adequately prepared to contain the current one.
Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is received as he arrives at Bunia National Airport, to coordinate the response to the Ebola outbreak, as agencies intensify efforts to contain a new Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, at the Bunia National Airport in Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 30, 2026.Stringer via Reuters
“We possess experience, we have [some of] the world’s most seasoned physicians addressing this type of strain, and we have personnel on the ground,” he communicated to ABC News. “We are disseminating [information daily] to alleviate public concern. This situation is, naturally, grave due to its impact on people’s lives.”
Muyaya noted that the DRC has recorded its initial recovery, with a female patient discharged from treatment following two negative tests, signaling a potential shift in the outbreak’s trajectory.
Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is received as he arrives at Bunia National Airport, to coordinate the response to the Ebola outbreak, as agencies intensify efforts to contain a new Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, at the Bunia National Airport in Bunia, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, May 30, 2026.Stringer via Reuters
He further clarified that Ebola is not a communicable respiratory ailment like COVID-19, but rather a disease transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com