WHO chief reports 5 Ebola recoveries as new treatment center opens in Congo

May 31, 2026 - 23:24

The head of the World Health Organization announced on Sunday that five patients have fully recovered from a rare strain of the Ebola virus. The update came during a visit to Bunia, a city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where a new treatment center has just opened its doors.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, shared the news while touring the facility. The recovered patients had been infected with the Sudan strain of Ebola, a less common version of the virus that does not have a licensed vaccine. This strain has caused sporadic outbreaks in Africa over the years, and its emergence in Congo has raised concerns among health officials.

The new treatment center is part of an effort to contain the outbreak and provide care for those who fall ill. Local health workers, supported by international teams, are racing to trace contacts and isolate suspected cases. The WHO has deployed medical supplies and experts to the region, though challenges remain. Remote villages, poor road conditions, and community mistrust have slowed response efforts in the past.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids and causes severe fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding. Without treatment, fatality rates can climb above 50 percent. The five recoveries offer a rare piece of good news in a region that has faced repeated health crises. Health officials stressed that vigilance is still needed, as the outbreak is not yet under control.