Geneva, May 17 (IANS). The World Health Organization announced Sunday that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is a “public health emergency of international concern.”
The World Health Organization said on social media platform X that the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bandibugyo virus does not fall into the category of an epidemic emergency.
The WHO Director-General expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda and said that both countries have shown commitment to taking necessary and strict measures to control the situation. They also commended both countries for sharing an honest assessment of the risk posed by this outbreak to other countries, allowing the global community to make necessary preparations.
The Director-General considered the information shared by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, scientific principles, available scientific evidence and other relevant information in his decision. Risks to human health, international spread of the disease and potential impacts on international traffic were also assessed.
Earlier, hundreds of suspected cases were reported in Ituri province, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus was confirmed in 13 out of 20 samples in preliminary tests conducted by the National Biomedical Research Institute, Xinhua news agency reported.
Some 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been recorded so far, the Africa CDC said in the statement, citing discussions with Congo’s health ministry and the National Institute of Public Health. Most of these cases were found in Mongwalu and Rwampara areas, while four deaths have occurred among the confirmed cases. Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia.
The Africa CDC warned that the risk of further spread of infection is high due to urban areas, movement of people, mining activities, insecurity and proximity to Uganda and South Sudan.
The agency said it was holding an emergency meeting Friday afternoon with health officials from Congo, Uganda and South Sudan and key international partners to strengthen cross-border coordination, surveillance and response efforts.
–IANS
PM
