WHO Director-General's visit to DRC: Ebola outbreak not out of control despite social media speculation
via Business News3 min read
Following the visit of Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization WHO, to the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, social media has been rife with speculation, with some users drawing parallels to the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. In Tunisia, comments suggested the visit was an "alarm signal" or an "implicit admission" that Ebola was out of control. However, fact-checking reveals that the Director-General's visit is a standard part of WHO's mission in health emergencies, aimed at assessing the response, mobilizing international support, and strengthening local capacity. Official data indicates a concerning situation but does not suggest a complete collapse of health systems. The WHO reported 906 suspected Ebola cases, with 223 suspected deaths under investigation. The Congolese government confirmed 282 laboratory-confirmed cases, including 42 deaths. The majority of confirmed cases were in Ituri province 264 infections, with North Kivu and South Kivu reporting 15 and 3 cases, respectively. The WHO acknowledges the complexity of fighting the epidemic, citing difficulties in rapid identification of infected individuals, contact tracing, and safe burials. These challenges are exacerbated by persistent insecurity in conflict-affected regions. Despite this, Dr. Ghebreyesus highlighted encouraging signs, such as certified recoveries, and emphasized the importance of strengthening testing, treatment, and community trust in health workers.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
The Union of Small and Medium Industries UPMI has raised concerns about the severe impact of repeated power outages on economic activity in Tunisia. In a statement released on Friday, July 17, 2026, the organization highlighted that these disruptions are increasingly affecting industrial units, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, which are crucial to the Tunisian economy. The UPMI noted that power cuts lead to production line stoppages, idle equipment, and lost work hours, incurring significant costs for businesses. Indirect costs include the deterioration of raw materials and semi-finished products, as well as increased expenses for restarting machinery. Delays in order fulfillment and missed delivery deadlines are also major worries, especially for export-oriented companies, potentially eroding customer trust and weakening competitiveness in international markets. These alerts come amid an exceptional heatwave in Tunisia, causing a surge in electricity consumption due to widespread air conditioner use, straining the production capacity of the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company Steg. Steg has implemented load shedding to balance the grid and prevent major supply incidents or blackouts. The UPMI, while acknowledging Steg's efforts, called for better anticipation and communication regarding these emergency measures. The organization emphasized the need for a clear schedule of power cuts, specifying times and affected areas, to allow businesses to plan and mitiga
Tunisian engineer Chouaib Nemri issued a poignant appeal on Thursday, July 16, 2026, highlighting the human consequences of recurrent electricity cuts in Tunisia. Nemri, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and relies on a ventilator, an electric wheelchair, and a patient lift, stated that electricity is essential for his survival and autonomy. He emphasized that power outages pose an existential danger for him and thousands of other Tunisians dependent on electrical medical equipment. Nemri also expressed solidarity with professionals like bakers, mechanics, traders, and remote workers whose livelihoods are severely impacted by these disruptions, leading to significant economic losses. He advocated for a robust electrical grid that ensures continuous access to electricity, respecting lives and preserving dignity. Nemri, an internationally recognized artificial intelligence engineer who collaborates with Google, aims to bring attention to the critical human impact of power outages, which can turn a simple failure into a life-threatening emergency for those using medical devices such as respirators, oxygen concentrators, or home dialysis equipment.
Following recent power outages in Tunisia, Member of Parliament Fatma Mseddi has strongly criticized the government, stating that the repeated interruptions in electricity supply demonstrate the state's inability to provide an essential public service. In a Facebook post on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Mseddi argued that these outages are not merely simple power cuts but a hardship for citizens and a sign of state institutions failing in their basic duties. She highlighted that load shedding impacts hospitals, businesses, and citizens' equipment. Mseddi accused the government of failing to manage strategic national issues and making poor choices in appointments. She called on President Ka茂s Sa茂ed to speak publicly, demanding a clear and transparent address from the President about the situation, concrete solutions, and a timeline for accountability and necessary reforms. Mseddi's appeal comes after President Sa茂ed's last public appearance on July 9, leading to speculation about his health, which the presidency has not officially addressed. Tunisia is currently experiencing an exceptional heatwave with temperatures reaching 49掳C, causing high demand on the electricity grid. The Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company Steg explained that the cuts are due to load shedding to maintain grid balance and prevent a system collapse.