WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern due to the high risk of further spread across borders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Sunday that it has classified the ongoing Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, as a 'public health emergency of international concern.' This designation highlights the high risk the outbreak poses to neighboring countries, particularly those sharing land borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
As of Saturday, the WHO reported 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, and 246 suspected cases in the DRC's Ituri province across at least three health zones: Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu.
The DRC health ministry had previously reported 80 fatalities linked to the outbreak as of Friday.
The WHO emphasized that the true extent of the outbreak could be higher than what is currently being detected due to a high positivity rate in initial samples and the increasing number of suspected cases reported.
Furthermore, there are no approved therapeutics or vaccines specifically for the Bundibugyo virus, which makes this outbreak particularly concerning.
The WHO has advised countries at risk to activate their national disaster and emergency-management mechanisms, undertake cross-border screening, and monitor travel from affected areas.
In Uganda's capital, Kampala, two laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported, including one death, involving individuals who had traveled from the DRC.
Additionally, a confirmed case was detected in Kinshasa, the DRC capital, in an individual returning from Ituri.
To mitigate further spread, the WHO recommends that contacts or cases of Bundibugyo virus disease should not travel internationally, except as part of a medical evacuation.
They also advise immediately isolating confirmed cases and monitoring contacts daily, with restrictions on national travel and no international travel until 21 days after exposure.
While cautioning against fear-driven border closures or restrictions on travel and trade, the WHO underlines the importance of monitored crossings to prevent unreported cases.
As of Saturday, the WHO reported 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, and 246 suspected cases in the DRC's Ituri province across at least three health zones: Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu.
The DRC health ministry had previously reported 80 fatalities linked to the outbreak as of Friday.
The WHO emphasized that the true extent of the outbreak could be higher than what is currently being detected due to a high positivity rate in initial samples and the increasing number of suspected cases reported.
Furthermore, there are no approved therapeutics or vaccines specifically for the Bundibugyo virus, which makes this outbreak particularly concerning.
The WHO has advised countries at risk to activate their national disaster and emergency-management mechanisms, undertake cross-border screening, and monitor travel from affected areas.
In Uganda's capital, Kampala, two laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported, including one death, involving individuals who had traveled from the DRC.
Additionally, a confirmed case was detected in Kinshasa, the DRC capital, in an individual returning from Ituri.
To mitigate further spread, the WHO recommends that contacts or cases of Bundibugyo virus disease should not travel internationally, except as part of a medical evacuation.
They also advise immediately isolating confirmed cases and monitoring contacts daily, with restrictions on national travel and no international travel until 21 days after exposure.
While cautioning against fear-driven border closures or restrictions on travel and trade, the WHO underlines the importance of monitored crossings to prevent unreported cases.
