WHO urges strict measures in DRC as Ebola deaths exceed 2,500

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged the Democratic Republic of the Congo to implement strict measures to curb the spread of an Ebola epidemic that has claimed more than 2,500 lives in just three months. The outbreak, officially declared on May 15, has spread across six provinces and has already surpassed the death toll of the 2018–2020 epidemic, which was previously considered the deadliest in the country's history.

To combat the virus, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus proposed several social and movement restrictions. These recommendations include postponing large gatherings in areas with community transmission, reducing capacity in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, and limiting motorcycle travel to a single passenger.

Additionally, the WHO suggested implementing 24/7 health checkpoints on roads in high-risk zones and establishing protocols for the safe reopening of schools. The organization emphasized the need for enhanced surveillance, community mobilization, and increased protection for healthcare workers to manage the crisis effectively.