WHO announces £386m plan to fight Ebola outbreak as number of cases rises

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has unveiled a $518m (£386m) six-month plan to fight Ebola, as the number of cases continue to grow.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed optimism that the outbreak - which has now reached at least 400 confirmed cases - could be contained.

"We're not starting from zero, this ​plan draws ⁠from previous outbreaks ⁠and recent health emergencies," he said on Friday.

He added: "Containing ​Ebola requires ​political commitment, sustained finances ⁠and trust in engaging ⁠the communities."

The plan will be carried out jointly with the Africa Centres for Disease Control ⁠and Prevention, from June to November.

The announcement came as Uganda recorded three new confirmed Ebola cases on Friday, bringing the total number of cases there to 19, the country's health ministry said.

The new cases were close contacts of confirmed cases in quarantine.

A Congolese national also died of the disease, bringing the total number of Ebola deaths in the country to two, the ministry said.

The WHO said 34 health workers had been infected with Ebola so far, seven had died from the disease and six had recovered.

In the epicentre of the outbreak the Democratic Republic of Congo, at least 63 people have died out of 381 confirmed cases, Congolese Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said late on Thursday

At least 63 people have died from 381 confirmed cases, Congolese Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said late Thursday.

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The rare Bundibugyo type of Ebola that Congo is battling took locals by surprise after weeks of spreading unnoticed.

It's suspected there were already hundreds of cases when the outbreak was declared in May.

Public resistance to health protocols during health emergencies is common in Congo, which is battling its 17th Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified there in 1976.

There currently is no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo variety of Ebola, which has added another layer of fear.

Earlier this week, protests broke out in Kenya over plans to build an Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base near Nanyuki. Two people died during the demonstrations.

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