The World Health Organization has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, citing rising infections, cross-border transmission and uncertainties surrounding the scale of the outbreak.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the decision on Sunday following reports of confirmed and suspected infections linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
Although the situation is considered serious, WHO clarified that the outbreak does not yet meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency under the organisation’s International Health Regulations.
According to health authorities, as of May 16, there were eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths recorded in Ituri Province in eastern DRC. Additional cases have also been confirmed in the capital, Kinshasa, as well as in Uganda, where two infected persons who travelled from DRC are currently receiving intensive care treatment.
WHO warned that the outbreak could be more widespread than currently reported, citing unexplained clusters of deaths, a high positivity rate among tested samples and limited understanding of transmission patterns.
The agency also raised concerns over infection prevention measures after at least four healthcare workers died from the disease.
WHO noted that the outbreak poses a significant regional threat because of high population movement, trade activities and ongoing humanitarian crises in the affected areas.
Despite the growing concerns, WHO said it was not recommending restrictions on international travel or trade. It, however, urged countries to strengthen disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and public awareness campaigns.
Authorities in DRC and Uganda have also been advised to intensify contact tracing, expand laboratory testing, improve infection prevention measures and boost treatment capacity.
The organisation stressed the importance of community engagement, including collaboration with local and religious leaders, in efforts to contain the outbreak.
WHO further noted that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, highlighting the urgent need for accelerated research and clinical trials.
The agency added that an Emergency Committee would soon be convened to provide additional recommendations as global health authorities intensify efforts to prevent further spread of the disease.
