WHO says it has less than half funding needed to fight Ebola

GENEVA, July 14 - The World Health Organisation (WHO) has received less than half the funding it needs to fight the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, urging donors not to abandon the country at a critical stage of the epidemic.

The global health agency has received about 40 per cent of its US$115 million appeal to tackle the Bundibugyo outbreak, for which there is no proven treatment or vaccine. According to government data, at least 1,926 people have been infected, and 702 have died.

"This outbreak requires resources that match the scale of the challenges that we are facing. And this is not a burden DRC can be allowed to carry alone," said the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme head Chikwe Ihekweazu to the media in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday after a visit to the worst-hit province of Ituri.

He added that the response had reached a critical point, with intensified efforts needed to detect and isolate patients after cases spread this week to two new provinces.

"It is a bit like a marathon, you cannot give up after the first lap or the second. You just have to keep pushing even when you are getting tired and exhausted," Chikwe said.

He repeated estimates that the true number of Ebola cases in Congo is at least double, and possibly over four times, the official tally.