Medics in protective gear/FILE
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that a second US citizen infected with the Ebola Bundibugyo virus has been safely evacuated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The patient has been airlifted to Germany for specialised medical care as efforts to contain the growing outbreak intensify.
In a statement, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the patient, a humanitarian worker based in Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province in eastern DRC, had been receiving clinical care and close monitoring before being transferred for continued treatment.
The latest case comes as health authorities battle a worsening Ebola outbreak in the region, prompting renewed calls for increased support from local, national and international partners.
"WHO has provided clinical care and close monitoring to a second U.S. citizen, a humanitarian worker, in eastern DRC's Ituri provincial capital of Bunia who has been confirmed with Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease," Dr Tedros said.
"The patient has been safely transferred to Germany for continued follow-up care," he added.
According to the WHO, the Ebola outbreak continues to spread, placing growing pressure on healthcare systems and emergency response teams working to contain the virus.
"As the outbreak escalates, an accelerated response from local, national and international partners is urgently needed," Dr Tedros said.
He said WHO is working closely with the government of the DRC and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to strengthen surveillance, case management, contact tracing and other emergency response measures aimed at bringing the outbreak under control.
"WHO is working intensively under the government's leadership and with Africa CDC to bring the outbreak under control as rapidly as possible," he said.
The WHO chief also expressed concern over infections among frontline responders, describing their protection as critical to containing the outbreak.
"As infections among response personnel are not unexpected in an outbreak of this scale, protecting frontline responders must remain a top priority," he said.
Dr Tedros commended healthcare workers and humanitarian responders for their dedication despite the risks they face while treating patients and supporting affected communities.
"We are deeply grateful for the courage and commitment of all health workers working to end this outbreak," he said.
WHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting response efforts across the DRC and wished all Ebola patients a speedy recovery.
"WHO wishes all patients being treated for Ebola a swift recovery and will continue supporting communities and responders across the Democratic Republic of the Congo," Dr Tedros added.
You could make it even tighter in a Reuters/AP style by reducing the number of direct quotes and paraphrasing more of Dr Tedros' remarks.
