WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda an international emergency
Kyiv • UNN
The WHO has declared a state of emergency due to the Bundibugyo Ebola strain in Congo and Uganda. The virus has been detected in the capitals, with dozens of fatalities recorded.
The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. The cause was the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments. This was reported by Bloomberg, according to UNN.
Details
The WHO stated that the virus has already been detected not only in remote areas of the Congo but also in the capitals of the two countries – Kampala and Kinshasa. The organization warns that the actual scale of the epidemic could be significantly larger than official data suggests.
As of May 16, eight confirmed cases, 336 suspected cases, and 87 suspected deaths have been recorded in the Ituri province of the Congo. In Uganda, two cases have been confirmed, one of which was fatal.
The WHO has announced the risk of a wider spread of the virus
This event is considered an emergency
According to the organization, the outbreak may have been spreading unnoticed for several weeks, and at least four healthcare workers are among the deceased. This raises concerns about virus transmission within hospitals and clinics.
The WHO urged countries not to close borders or impose travel restrictions, emphasizing that such measures could only complicate the monitoring of people's movements. Instead, neighboring states were recommended to strengthen testing, surveillance, and infection control measures.
Following the DR Congo, Uganda confirms a new Ebola virus outbreak16.05.26, 03:40 • 3462 views