WHO declares Ebola outbreaks in DR Congo, Uganda global health emergency

KATHMANDU: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern.

In a statement on Sunday, WHO said Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, after having consulted the States Parties where the event is known to be currently occurring, is hereby determining that the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the two countries constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), but does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency.

As of Saturday, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths have been reported in Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo across at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu, according to WHO. In addition, two laboratory-confirmed cases (including one death) with no apparent link to each other have been reported in Kampala, Uganda, within 24 hours of each other, among two individuals travelling from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Similarly, on 16 May, a laboratory-confirmed case has also been reported in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among someone returning from Ituri.

“The event requires international coordination and cooperation to understand the extent of the outbreak, to coordinate surveillance, prevention and response efforts, to scale up and strengthen operations and ensure the ability to implement control measures,” WHO added in the statement.

WHO has advised partner states to undertake cross-border screening and screening at main internal roads to ensure that no suspected case is missed and enhance the quality of screening through improved sharing of information with surveillance teams.
“There should be no international travel of Bundibugyo virus disease contacts or cases, unless the travel is part of an appropriate medical evacuation,” it added.

It said confirmed cases should immediately be isolated and treated in a Bundibugyo virus disease Treatment Centre with no national or international travel until two Bundibugyo virus-specific diagnostic tests conducted at least 48 hours apart are negative. Likewise, probable and suspect cases should immediately be isolated and their travel should be restricted in accordance with their classification as either a confirmed case or contact, WHO said.