Geneva, May 17: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Sunday that the Ebola outbreak spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda is now classified as a “public health emergency of international concern.”
The WHO stated on social media platform X that the Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, does not fall under the category of a pandemic emergency.
The Director-General of WHO expressed gratitude towards the leadership of both countries, acknowledging their commitment to taking necessary and stringent measures to control the situation. He also praised them for sharing an honest assessment of the risks posed by the outbreak, allowing the global community to prepare adequately.
In making this decision, the Director-General considered information shared by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, scientific principles, available evidence, and other relevant data. The assessment also included potential impacts on human health, the international spread of the disease, and international travel.
Previously, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported hundreds of suspected cases in the Ituri province. According to news agency Xinhua, initial tests conducted by the National Biomedical Research Institute confirmed the virus in 13 out of 20 samples.
The Africa CDC, referencing discussions with the Congolese Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute, stated that approximately 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been recorded so far. Most of these cases were found in the Mongwalu and Wampara areas, with four deaths reported among confirmed cases. Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia.
The Africa CDC warned that the risk of further transmission is heightened due to urban areas, population movement, mining activities, insecurity, and proximity to Uganda and South Sudan.
The agency announced that it will hold an emergency meeting on Friday afternoon with health officials from Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, along with key international partners, to strengthen cross-border coordination, monitoring, and response efforts.
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Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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