Kristian G. AndersenGeverifieerd account

Totally agree that this is early days in the response and plenty could go badly sideways. But how is it WHO's fault that DRC didn't spot or didn't report this outbreak for 4 months?

1) Given Ebola DRC 2017, perhaps @WHO should have been more active in helping with monitoring 2) Early @WHO statements this time hyped an "early response" -- maybe they could not have done more, sooner -- but they should not have been so affirmative / congratulatory

I've conceded #2. But how is WHO to take on surveillance in a sovereign country? A huge country that has had #Ebola outbreaks in multiple locations? This isn't 1) their job & 2) do they'd have the right or the resources to do it if they wanted to?

Agree 100% that @WHO cannot monitor itself. Can provide technical expertise. Can ask for updates. Can report to world community its concerns. Were any of those done here?

Ebola outbreaks are lightning strikes. Yes, there have been more in DRC than elsewhere. But if Kinshasa hasn't raised concerns, how is WHO to know? Huge & economically challenged country.

Lightning strikes tall trees. If your job is to stop forest fires, best to keep an eye on those spots before the storm. I'm not saying that @WHO failed necessarily, but there should be some questions asked about what can/should have been done.

I’m also interested in where/how the DRC’s own surveillance system, which several Congolese health leaders have spoken glowingly about, failed here.

Are we sure that the early stages of an Ebola outbreak are so easier to spot? In places where malaria & other diseases can look similar....