DRC and Uganda declared global health emergency over Ebola outbreaks

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern”. The declaration follows reports of over 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths, with the majority of cases occurring in the DRC. Two cases have been reported in neighboring Uganda.

According to the WHO, the current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a rare type of Ebola disease that has no approved therapeutics or vaccines. This is only the third time BVD has been reported. The WHO notes that the outbreak could be much larger due to the high positivity rate of initial samples and increasing number of suspected cases being reported.

The DRC accounts for all except two of the cases, both of which were reported in Uganda. Officials first reported the spread of the virus in the eastern province of Ituri, close to Uganda and South Sudan. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDCP) has reported 336 suspected cases and 87 deaths.

The WHO is advising countries to activate their national disaster and emergency management mechanisms and undertake cross-border screening at main internal roads. They are also urging immediate isolation of confirmed cases, restricting travel until 21 days after exposure. The organization is cautioning against closing borders or restricting travel and trade, as this could lead to unmonitored border crossings.

The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, contaminated materials, or those who have died from the disease. Symptoms include fever, body aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Source: Al Jazeera