WHO chief hesitant to call preemptive victory against Ebola outbreak

Harrison Cook -

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, said the organization is "still at war" with Ebola during a news conference held in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Reuters.

The Congo declared an official Ebola outbreak May 8. To date, the WHO has confirmed 38 illnesses and 27 deaths linked to the outbreak.

While the WHO administered 2,200 Ebola vaccines to Congo residents and believes the outbreak is stabilizing, Dr. Ghebreyesus warns against preemptive victory.

"It's not over until it is over," Dr. Ghebreyesus said during the press conference. "We are still at war, and we need to continue to strengthen our surveillance and ... be very vigilant. … Even if one case crosses into Congo (Republic) and gets to an urban area, that could trigger another epidemic."

More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:

CDC warns providers of 6-state hepatitis A outbreak; 2.5K infections reported
Houston hospital patients 'in limbo' after heart transplant program suspended
Researchers develop 'smart antibiotics' to combat C. diff

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.