The situation remains stable in neighboring Uganda, where two confirmed cases and one death have been recorded.<\/p>\n
Anne Ancia, the WHO\u2019s lead official in Congo, said she considered the rapidly surging case numbers were “probably good” because they showed surveillance was working. The WHO\u2019s strategy is to actively search for cases and isolate their contacts for 21 days, she said, adding it was the \u201conly way\u201d they would be able to disrupt the transmission until a drug or vaccine is approved.<\/p>\n
The WHO also announced it plans to test antiviral drug Obeldesivir, which is produced by American\u00a0biopharmaceutical\u00a0giant Gilead, against the Bundibugyo virus as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
Health authorities believe the drug may be among the most promising tools to take on the rare virus, which is driving the current outbreak of the disease. But they declined to give a specific timeline for testing as discussions over how trials may be carried out were ongoing.<\/p>\n
Outbreak amid an ongoing conflict<\/p>\n
The precarious security situation in Congo’s Ituri and North Kivu provinces is proving to be a major challenge for the health workers attempting to contain the outbreak. <\/p>\n