WHO declares latest Ebola outbreak a global health emergency. A rare variant of the disease with no approved treatments is to blame
The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which lacks approved treatments or vaccines. Health authorities are concerned about the potential spread due to population movement and the proximity to neighboring countries.
- ▪The outbreak has reported 336 suspected cases and 88 deaths, primarily in Congo.
- ▪The Bundibugyo virus has been reported only twice before, making this outbreak particularly concerning.
- ▪The Africa CDC is coordinating an urgent response with health authorities from Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.
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The World Health Organization declared Sunday the Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.Recommended Video Africa’s top public health body first confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in Congo’s Ituri province on Friday. By Saturday, it had reported 336 suspected cases and 88 deaths. All the cases are in Congo, except for two recorded in neighboring Uganda. Health authorities say the current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant of the Ebola disease that has no approved therapeutics or vaccines, making it much harder to fight.
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