WHO head In DRC, Ebola is not the biggest problem STAT
In an exclusive STAT interview, WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recounts his second visit to the Ebola‑affected regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. He reports that, as of June 2026, the outbreak has produced at least 708 confirmed cases and 141 deaths across the two countries. Surveillance and contact tracing are far below needed levels – only 28.4% of contacts had been followed up on June 11, and overall tracing is around 50% versus the 95% target. Tedros describes pervasive community mistrust: many residents view Ebola as a “lesser evil” compared with malaria, armed conflict, and other diseases, and some consider the outbreak a hoax or foreign conspiracy. Chronic armed conflict, massive displacement, hunger, and a weak health system dominate daily concerns, making Ebola a low priority. The interview highlights the political dimension – locals demand peace, food aid, and broader health services, not just Ebola‑specific interventions. Tedros emphasizes that without a political solution to the conflict, surveillance cannot improve, and any response must integrate humanitarian assistance and health‑system strengthening. He adopts a listening stance, acknowledging community realities rather than dictating actions.
Topics
Ebola Outbreak Scale and WHO Response
Statistics on confirmed cases, deaths, emergency declaration, and current contact‑tracing performance in DRC and Uganda.
Community Perception: Ebola as a Lesser Evil
Local beliefs that Ebola is less deadly than malaria, conflict‑related deaths, and the prevalence of conspiracy narratives.
Impact of Prolonged Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
How armed conflict, displacement, hunger, and multiple health threats undermine Ebola control efforts.
Challenges to Surveillance and Contact Tracing
Low follow‑up rates, mobility of displaced populations, loss of trained staff from previous outbreaks, and resulting gaps in case detection.
Political Solutions and Integrated Humanitarian Aid
Calls for peace, broader health‑system support, food aid, and the argument that Ebola control cannot succeed without addressing underlying political and humanitarian issues.
WHO Leadership Approach: Listening to Local Voices
Tedros’s stance of listening rather than dictating, emphasizing respect for community‑identified problems and solutions.