The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported "encouraging signs" in the ongoing fight against an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since mid-May, the outbreak has affected seven provinces, with over 7,200 confirmed cases and more than 3,500 deaths. At a press conference in Geneva on September 16, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared that the situation is showing some positive changes, indicating that efforts to control the outbreak are starting to have an effect. For the first time since the outbreak began, Tedros expressed optimism. He noted that the spread of the virus is slowing in the hardest-hit areas of Ituri province, which has been the epicenter of the outbreak. In South Kivu, no new cases have been reported since May. These developments are attributed in part to increased community engagement, which has helped accelerate clinical trials for treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis. Trials for vaccines are also expected to begin soon, according to the WHO head. Despite these positive developments, Tedros warned that the outbreak is still active and deadly. He emphasized that key indicators of the outbreak's progress are not yet where they should be, and that the response efforts need to continue and even be strengthened for many months. "These months are expected to be difficult," he said. Maria Van Kerkhove, a WHO official responsible for epidemic and pandemic preparedness, echoed this sentiment, noting that the situation will require sustained attention for a long time. The current outbreak is the 17th recorded in the DRC, and it was declared late in May, several weeks after the first cases were identified. Ebola, a severe and often fatal disease, has claimed over 15,000 lives in Africa over the past 50 years. The current outbreak has already resulted in more than 3,500 deaths across seven provinces, according to WHO reports.