WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda public health emergency of international concern

According to Ukrinform, this was reported on the WHO website.

The decision was made due to the cross-border spread of the infection, a significant number of suspected cases and deaths, and the lack of approved vaccines and specific treatments against this strain of the virus—Bundibugyo.

“There are significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread associated with this event at the present time. In addition, there is limited understanding of the epidemiological links with known or suspected cases,” the WHO explained the reasons for declaring a public health emergency.

At the same time, the organization clarified that the current outbreak does not yet meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency.

“The event constitutes a public health risk to other States Parties through the international spread of disease. Neighboring countries sharing land borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered at high risk for further spread due to population mobility, trade and travel linkages, and ongoing epidemiological uncertainty,” the WHO emphasized.

It is noted that the WHO Director-General will convene the Emergency Committee in the near future to, among other things, provide countries with recommendations on temporary restrictive measures to curb the spread of the disease.

As reported by Ukrinform, as of May 15, the Ebola outbreak in northeastern DR Congo had claimed the lives of 65 people, with several hundred more infected.

On May 16, representatives of the DR Congo’s Ministry of Health stated that the death toll from the new Ebola outbreak had increased to 80.

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