WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak Global Health Emergency; 300+ Cases, 80 Dead In Congo, Uganda
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday, May 17.
The world health body declared the virus is spread from animals to humans and is heavily influenced by seasonal changes. The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the decision after more than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths due to the virus.
Read Also: ‘Disease X’: WHO Warns Countries To Be Prepared For Pandemic Deadlier Than Covid 19
In a social media post, the world health body clarified the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency like COVID-19, and advised against closing international borders. The health authorities in the African countries have said that the outbreak is linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.
Ebola spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe and often fatal illness. Most of the cases have been reported in Congo, with two cases confirmed in neighboring Uganda. Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache and sore throat, and are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, a rash and bleeding.
Read Also: Mysterious Illness In Congo Kills Over 50; Origin Linked To Bats
Officials first detected the outbreak in Congo’s eastern Ituri province near the borders with Uganda and South Sudan.
