The World Health Organization (WHO) is trying to prevent an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after 18 deaths, according to an article on the People website.

In the past five weeks, at least 34 cases have been reported, with 18 deaths and 14 suspected cases, the WHO said. Three health workers have also been infected.

“It is too early to judge the extent of this outbreak,” Dr. Peter Salama, WHO deputy director-general for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said in the article. 

“However, early signs including the infection of three health workers, the geographical extent of the outbreak, the proximity to transport routes and population centers, and the number of suspected cases indicate that stopping this outbreak will be a serious challenge. This will be tough and it will be costly. We need to be prepared for all scenarios.”

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