WHO reports over 320 confirmed Ebola cases in DRC, warns of potentially wider epidemic
via Business News2 min read
The World Health Organization WHO announced on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, that 321 confirmed cases of Ebola have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, along with 116 suspected cases. The organization also reported 48 deaths and six recoveries in the country since the epidemic began. This update shows a significant decrease in the number of suspected cases compared to previous reports, as several hundred alerts were ultimately dismissed after laboratory analysis. However, the WHO expressed serious concerns about the true extent of the epidemic, noting that the number of infected individuals could be much higher than currently detected due to many difficult-to-access areas and significant gaps in health surveillance. The epidemic was first reported in mid-May in Ituri province, northeastern DRC. By May 16, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths had already been identified in several health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu. Unusual clusters of community deaths with symptoms consistent with the disease had been reported. Health authorities also reported several deaths among healthcare professionals, raising fears of transmission within medical facilities and revealing inadequacies in infection prevention and control measures. International concern grew when the epidemic crossed DRC's borders. According to the WHO, Uganda recorded nine confirmed cases, including one death. The first cases were detected in Kampala
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The Confederation of Citizen Enterprises of Tunisia Conect expressed concern on Friday, July 17, 2026, regarding the impact of scheduled power cuts on economic activity. The organization believes these interruptions cause significant losses for businesses and advocates for improved information dissemination and a sustainable strategy to enhance energy security. Conect states that the cuts affect companies across all sectors and regions, leading to direct and indirect losses from production halts, activity slowdowns, and damage to industrial, electrical, and electronic equipment. This situation, according to Conect, negatively impacts business productivity, reduces competitiveness, and harms the investment climate. While acknowledging efforts by the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company Steg to inform the public, Conect notes that the information provided is often insufficiently precise regarding affected areas, schedules, and estimated durations. This lack of clarity prevents businesses from organizing activities and taking preventive measures. Conect calls for strengthening the prior information system with more precise and regularly updated data on affected sectors, schedules, and estimated durations, and recommends more effective communication channels. Conect believes that improved communication alone is not enough and advocates for a concerted approach involving dialogue and coordination among Steg, public authorities, and relevant stakeholders to develop sustainable solu
Frequent power outages across several regions of Tunisia, caused by high demand on the national grid during a heatwave, are severely affecting patients who rely on regular oxygen supply at home. Wajih Dhokkar, president of the Tunisian Organization of Young Doctors OTJM, highlighted on Facebook that this situation puts vulnerable patients at significant risk. He explained that since the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital capacity saturation led to some stable patients being discharged with medical follow-up and respiratory assistance, often involving low-flow oxygen concentrators. These electric devices are crucial for their care, but power cuts force patients to return to emergency departments when their equipment stops working. Dhokkar noted that some patients visit emergency rooms multiple times daily awaiting power restoration, causing significant psychological distress and sometimes leading them to refuse to leave the hospital. He urged consideration of the human impact of these outages beyond technical grid management. Dhokkar also criticized the lack of a clear institutional response from the Ministry of Health, despite local initiatives by hospital directors and citizens. He pointed out the absence of a dedicated crisis committee, an official care protocol, a specific emergency number for affected patients, and clear guidelines for health facilities. Emergency services have seen an increase in admissions due to these difficulties. The power cuts are a measure by the Tunisian
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