The global risk from the deadly Ebola outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains low, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday, June 24, following the confirmation of a case in France.
On Wednesday, France reported its first confirmed case of Ebola: a doctor who had returned from the DR Congo, where a significant outbreak is ongoing. This case marks the first instance of the deadly hemorrhagic fever being detected outside Africa during the current outbreak, which has also impacted Uganda.
WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned against overreacting to this case, which is the first ever identified in France. He emphasized that there is no need to panic, asserting that the risk to the rest of the world is low.
At the same time, Tedros highlighted that this case serves as a reminder of the risks faced by frontline workers. He noted: Almost 80 healthcare workers have been infected, underscoring the dangers they encounter and the necessity of enhancing infection prevention and control.
Details of the Case and WHO Recommendations
The confirmed case involved a doctor working with the non-governmental organization Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA). The patient boarded a commercial flight from Kinshasa and was nearly asymptomatic — only experiencing a headache, according to the French Ministry of Health.
The patient’s condition worsened slightly during the flight, prompting immediate isolation and care upon landing in Paris, even before the disease was officially identified, the ministry added. The patient was reported to be in a stable condition with a very low viral load. Efforts were ongoing to identify potential contacts.
The WHO advised countries to maintain the safe deployment of personnel responding to this outbreak, said Tedros. This includes ensuring that organizations deploying personnel provide clear information about the risks, how to mitigate and manage the risks of infection, and that countries are prepared to facilitate evacuation if necessary.
Outbreak Situation in DRC
The 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC was declared on May 15 following several unexplained deaths in the mineral-rich but unstable eastern province of Ituri, which is plagued by armed groups. According to the latest official data, more than 1,000 cases have been recorded, including 267 deaths, resulting in a lethality rate of about 25%.
The WHO assesses the public health risk level as very high for the DRC, high for Uganda and other neighboring countries, and low for the rest of the world.
Tedros urged viewing the case in France in perspective, cautioning against overreacting. He noted that while thousands of Ebola cases have been reported in Africa over the past half-century, the number of cases detected outside Africa in the last 50 years is fewer than 30.