Ebola Outbreak in Congo Is 'spreading rapidly,' WHO warns

Ebola is spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths. Confirmed cases have also appeared in Uganda after travel from the DRC. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no specific vaccine or approved treatment exists, and infection mortality can reach 50%. The strain appears to have circulated in eastern Congo’s Ituri province for about two months before authorities recognized it. Fighting, displacement, and a transient mining population are making containment especially challenging, alongside significant distrust of outside authorities. Border screening, quarantine preparedness, and travel restrictions are being tightened across countries, while contract tracing expands in the DRC.

"The agency upgraded its risk assessment to "very high" in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where there are now almost 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths from the disease. Two cases, including one death, were also confirmed in neighboring Uganda after they traveled from the DRC."

"The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, one of several types that cause Ebola disease in people. There is no specific vaccine, and the mortality rate from infection is as high as 50%. It appears to have circulated through eastern Congo's Ituri province, a conflict-hit mining region, for about two months before authorities recognized what they were dealing with."

"The outbreak is "especially challenging," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters Friday, citing the fighting, displacement of people and the transient population of miners. "There is significant distrust of outside authorities among the local population.""

"Governments across the world are tightening border screening and quarantine preparedness as health authorities work to contain the outbreak. An India-Africa summit due to begin in New Delhi at the end of May was postponed indefinitely. Uganda has effectively closed its border with the DRC, suspending flights to and from the country as well as all public transport except those moving goods and food."

Read at Irish Independent