The “extraordinary” outbreak of Ebola in Congo and Uganda, declared an “emergency of international concern” by the WHO
The World Health Organization said on Sunday that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern”, posing risks to neighboring countries, reports Reuters.
The WHO stated that this outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency, but that countries that share land borders with Congo are at high risk of further spread.
The UN health agency said in a statement that as of Saturday, 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected cases had been reported in Congo's Ituri province in at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.
The outbreak is “extraordinary”, claims the WHO
Congo's health ministry said on Friday that 80 people had died in the new outbreak in the eastern province.
The 17th outbreak in the country, where the Ebola virus was first identified in 1976, may actually be much larger, given the high rate of positivity in initial tests and the growing number of suspected cases reported, the WHO said.
The outbreak is “extraordinary” because there are no approved therapies or vaccines specific to the Bundibugyo virus, unlike the Ebola-Zaire strains, the agency said.
All but one of the previous outbreaks in the country were caused by the Zaire strain.
The outbreak in Congo and Uganda poses a public health risk to other countries, with several documented cases of international spread already, the agency said, advising countries to activate their national disaster and emergency management mechanisms and carry out cross-border screening and screening on major internal roads.
Two apparently unrelated laboratory-confirmed cases, including one death, were reported in Uganda's capital Kampala on Friday and Saturday in people traveling from Congo, the WHO said.
A laboratory-confirmed case was also reported in the capital Kinshasa in a person returning from Ituri, the WHO said.
How Ebola spreads
People who have come into contact with the Bundibugyo virus or confirmed cases should not travel internationally, except in cases of medical evacuation, the WHO said.
The agency recommended immediate isolation of confirmed cases and daily monitoring of contacts, with nationwide travel restrictions and no international travel for up to 21 days after exposure.
At the same time, the WHO urged countries not to close their borders and restrict travel and trade out of fear that this could lead to people and goods crossing borders illegally, which are not monitored.
The dense rainforests of the Congo are a natural reservoir for the Ebola virus.
This often fatal virus, which causes fever, aches, vomiting and diarrhea, is spread through direct contact with infected people's bodily fluids, contaminated materials or people who have died from the disease, according to the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
