WHO convenes emergency panel as Ebola death toll hits 131

The World Health Organization is pulling together a high‑level committee to confront the surging Ebola death toll that now stands at ↓ 131. The panel, chaired by WHO’s chief epidemiologist, will convene virtually on May 22 to weigh vaccine candidates and containment tactics.

Ebola death toll drives WHO emergency session

Officials say the mortality spike reflects gaps in surveillance across the affected region. “We cannot afford to wait for the virus to spread further,” a spokesperson told Reuters, emphasizing the need for rapid immunisation roll‑out.

“Deploying a proven vaccine now could truncate the outbreak by weeks,” the official added.

Experts from the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network will present data on three investigational vaccines, two of which have shown promise in phase II trials. The committee will also review logistical hurdles, including cold‑chain capacity and community acceptance.

For a broader view of the crisis, see the latest coverage from AP News. Correction: An earlier dispatch misstated the meeting date as May 20; it is actually May 22.