(UTV|COLOMBO) – The head of a major medical research charity has called the latest outbreak of Ebola in central Africa “truly frightening”.
Nearly 1,400 people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr Jeremy Farrar, the director of the Wellcome Trust, said the epidemic was the worst since that of 2013-16 and has showed “no sign of stopping”.
A five-year-old boy has also died in neighbouring Uganda, the first case of Ebola reported in the country.
The Ugandan government is now reporting seven other suspected cases of the virus.
In a statement, Dr Farrar said the spread was “tragic but unfortunately not surprising”. He warned that more cases were expected, and a “full” national and international response would be needed to protect lives.
“The DRC should not have to face this alone,” he said.
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