WHO chief reports 5 Ebola recoveries as new treatment center opens in Congo

By — Justin Kabumba, The Associated Press Justin Kabumba, The Associated Press By — Mark Banchereau, Associated Press Mark Banchereau, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/who-chief-reports-5-ebola-recoveries-as-new-treatment-center-opens-in-congo Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WHO chief reports 5 Ebola recoveries as new treatment center opens in Congo World May 31, 2026 1:08 PM EDT BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Five patients have recovered from a rare type of Ebola virus, the head of the World Health Organization said Sunday during a visit to Bunia in eastern Congo, a city at the heart of an outbreak. "Four people will be discharged today and there was one that was discharged the day before yesterday," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during the opening of a new Ebola treatment center in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province. READ MORE: WHO chief visits Congo Ebola epicenter as cases outpace response "Of course, we're still working on vaccines and treatments but that doesn't mean that people cannot recover from Ebola," he added. The WHO said Friday a patient had recovered from the Bundibugyo virus, the current species of Ebola, which has no approved treatment or vaccine. It was the first documented recovery of a confirmed Bundibugyo patient during the current outbreak. The health organization said authorities have reported 134 confirmed cases in Congo and neighboring Uganda, including 18 confirmed deaths as of May 29. Recovered patients describe their experience Baraka Bulambulu, one of those who recovered, told The Associated Press on Sunday that community members feared contracting an unknown illness from them, keeping their distance while delivering food and medicine. He said the uncertainty was overwhelming, as he and other patients believed they might die without knowing what disease they had, though testing eventually confirmed Ebola. "Being able to come out of this alive is an immense source of happiness," Bulambulu said. "Many people who were in the same situation died." READ MORE: Ebola outbreak 'can be stopped,' WHO chief says as he arrives in Congo Ezo Étienne, a nurse, said his symptoms began during ward rounds when he suddenly felt dizzy, then rapidly deteriorated into vomiting, intense itching, severe diarrhea and extreme weakness. He was tested seven times before Ebola was confirmed. His treatment remained purely to treat the symptoms: medications to control vomiting, fluids to prevent dehydration and pain relievers. "That was all they could provide," he said. He urged the public and healthcare workers not to dismiss early symptoms such as vomiting and headaches, warning that misinformation leads many people to believe they have been poisoned rather than seeking hospital care. Lack of supplies, distrust and insecurity complicate response Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, said Saturday the virus continues to spread faster