As the Ebola outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that early detection and community mobilization remain critical to saving lives, while potential treatments and vaccines are still being assessed.
As of Friday, WHO estimated 906 suspected cases in the DR Congo, including 223 suspected deaths.
Confirmed cases stand at 134 in DR Congo, with 17 confirmed deaths. Uganda has reported nine confirmed cases, including one death.
The WHO said that it is currently working with the governments of DR Congo and Uganda to advance the evaluation of drugs and vaccines, while expanding medical treatment capacity. Three candidate therapeutic drugs and two candidate vaccines have been included for further research.
"Now we have this candidate therapeutics and vaccine, WHO is working closely with the governments of both countries to support the assessment of these candidate medical countermeasures, while at the same time and urgently, scaling up care capacities to ensure all patients in those affected communities can access optimized supportive care that can help save lives," said Anais Legand, a WHO technical officer.
WHO says early detection key as Ebola vaccines under assessment
WHO says early detection key as Ebola vaccines under assessment
WHO says early detection key as Ebola vaccines under assessment
The 8th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting concluded in Nanjing of east China's Jiangsu Province Monday, with the adoption of a joint statement and the first outcome document focused on artificial intelligence in the history of APEC human resources development cooperation.
As one of the ministerial gatherings under the 2026 APEC "China Year", the meeting brought together participating parties who agreed to proactively respond to new changes in the labor market, seize new opportunities in human resources development, and advance economic empowerment for all, amid an aging society and rapid technological progress.
"The meeting agreed that 'investing in people' is a strategic investment with high returns, and vocational skills training is an important means of such investment. More robust and effective actions must be taken to improve the lifelong vocational skills training system, strengthen coordination between talent cultivation and industry demand, and continuously broaden career development channels for the workforce," said China's Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Yu Jiadong.
Representatives also agreed that building a more optimized and sustainable social security system and enhancing its effectiveness and adaptability play a fundamental role in promoting economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region and improving the well-being of people in all economies.
They called on all economies to build more resilient social security systems, leverage digital technologies to empower social security, and share innovative practices across the region.
As the host of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in 2026, China will hold the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen of south China's Guangdong Province from Nov 18 to 19. The APEC CEO Summit will be held from Nov 17 to 18.
This will be the third time China hosts the APEC, after one in Shanghai in 2001 and the other in Beijing in 2014.
APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting concludes with first AI-focused outcome document
