WHO says Ebola outbreak in DR Congo outpacing containment efforts

GENEVA — The World Health Organization said it has been unable to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the disease spreading faster than response operations. WHO coordinator Thierno Balde said the outbreak has now reached a sixth province in the country and could be brought under control within three months if adequate resources are provided. The DRC's National Institute of Public Health reported that the outbreak has become the deadliest Ebola epidemic in the country's history. According to the latest figures, 2,325 people have died and 4,945 cases of the Ebola virus have been recorded. The WHO declared on May 17 that the Ebola situation in the DRC and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, posing a risk to other countries. No further details on additional response measures were immediately available.