Rubio Faults WHO Over 131-Death Congo Ebola Outbreak as US Plans 50 Clinics
Updated
Updated · WION · May 19
Rubio Faults WHO Over 131-Death Congo Ebola Outbreak as US Plans 50 Clinics
10 articles · Updated · WION · May 19
Rubio said the WHO was "a little late" in identifying the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the virus has killed an estimated 131 people.
WHO warned Tuesday about the outbreak's "scale and speed," while Rubio said the US response would rely on the CDC and WHO despite his criticism of the UN agency.
About 50 treatment clinics are being planned in Congo, but Rubio said aid operations are hampered by the outbreak's rural location in a war-torn area.
The US has committed roughly $13 million to fight the outbreak, even after broad cuts to American foreign aid last year.
The dispute comes as Washington's ties with WHO remain strained after Trump moved to withdraw the US from the agency and kept attacking its Covid-era handling.
With its own health agencies facing cuts, can foreign aid alone protect a nation from the next global pandemic?
Travel bans are imposed, but experts say they hurt the response. Which strategy will actually contain this Ebola outbreak faster?