WHO Director announces good news: 5 Ebola patients have recovered in Congo.

During a visit to the city of Bunia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that five Ebola patients infected with the Bundibugyo strain had recovered, offering hope amidst the ongoing and complex epidemic.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visits health workers at a health center in Bunia, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on May 31. - Photo: AP

According to the Associated Press on May 31, speaking at the inauguration of a new Ebola treatment center in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that four patients would be discharged on May 31, while another patient had been discharged two days earlier.

"Of course, we are still working on vaccines and treatments, but that doesn't mean patients can't recover after contracting Ebola," said Tedros.

The WHO previously announced that a patient infected with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus had recovered. This is the first recorded recovery in a patient infected with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the current outbreak.

According to the WHO, there is currently no approved treatment or vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain.

The latest official figures show there are 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths suspected to be related to the outbreak.

In neighboring Uganda, the Ministry of Health confirmed 9 cases and 1 death on May 30.

According to the WHO, epidemic control efforts also faced many obstacles when some people opposed strict medical procedures for handling the bodies of victims, due to conflicts with traditional local burial customs.

A treatment area at a newly inaugurated medical center in the city of Bunia, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - Photo: AP

At the ceremony, Tedros also emphasized the importance of mobilizing the community to participate in responding to the pandemic.

"If people go to a medical facility when symptoms appear, they can receive support and recovery. It's important to go as early as possible to get the necessary care," he said.

Tedros also affirmed that the Ebola outbreak is controllable and called on all citizens to participate in the fight against the epidemic.

In addition, Pierre Akilimali, head of incident management at the National Institute of Public Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo, said that the community in Ituri province has reason to hope.

"With the current symptomatic treatments, we are seeing patients recover," said Pierre.

Meanwhile, Dr. Davin Ambitapio of the newly inaugurated treatment center said he believes this outbreak can be quickly brought under control with the support of partners and the combined efforts of various countries.

THANH HIEP

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/giam-director-who-bao-tin-vui-5-benh-nhan-ebola-da-hoi-phuc-o-congo-20260531191015445.htm