Congo Ebola outbreak ‘still a great concern’

Ebola is spreading in Democratic Republic of Congo, with about 50 known cases across a large region bordering the Republic of Congo and Central African Republic, the World Health Organisation said this week. Since authorities announced the outbreak on June 1, 48 cases were confirmed in Equateur province, with three probable cases and 20 deaths, Dr Mike Ryan, the WHO’s emergencies chief, said. “This is still a very active outbreak, and I would say it is still a great concern,” he said. “I would caution everyone that while the numbers in this event are low, in the era of Covid it is very important that we do not take our eyes off these other emerging diseases.”