CDC Director Robert Redfield, MD, said the Democratic Republic of Congo's ongoing Ebola outbreak may not be contained for another year, according to STAT.
"We cannot underestimate this outbreak. We need a long-term strategy," Dr. Redfield told STAT March 15.
The warning comes one day after Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said the outbreak may end within six months.
"I would love to see this outbreak end in six months, like my friend Tedros continues to hope for," Dr. Redfield said. "But I think the reality, the practical reality, is this is going to be a longer road. And we need to start planning for it."
STAT noted long-term efforts to control Ebola could be hindered by a lack of funding. Agencies working to end the outbreak said about $148 million is needed to continue response activities through July. The organizations have raised just 60 percent of this target, according to Dr. Tedros.
As of March 13, the WHO reported 932 confirmed and probable Ebola infections linked to Congo's outbreak, including 587 deaths.
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