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 after hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths were reported.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment is currently available. However, the WHO clarified that the situation does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency similar to COVID-19 and advised against closing international borders.
Health officials said most cases have been recorded in Congo’s eastern Ituri province near the borders with Uganda and South Sudan, while two confirmed cases have been detected in Uganda.
According to Congo’s health ministry, more than 240 suspected cases and around 80 deaths have been reported so far. Authorities warned that the Bundibugyo strain has a high fatality rate and carries a serious risk of further spread.
