"The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. The WHO on Sunday said the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency."
"The UN health agency said 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected cases had been reported as of Saturday in DRC's Ituri province across at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu. The DRC health ministry had said on Friday 80 people had died in the new outbreak in the eastern province."
"In Uganda's capital, Kampala, two apparently unrelated laboratory-confirmed cases, including one death, were reported on Friday and Saturday, from people travelling from the DRC, the WHO said. A laboratory-confirmed case was also reported in the DRC capital, Kinshasa, from a person returning from Ituri, the WHO said."
"The spread prompted the Africa CDC to warn of active community transmission as health workers raced to intensify screening and contact tracing to contain the disease. Ebola is highly contagious and can be contracted through bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen. The disease it causes is rare, but severe and often fatal."
WHO declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus and does not meet criteria for a pandemic emergency. In DRC’s Ituri province, at least three health zones reported 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, and 246 suspected cases as of Saturday. Uganda reported two laboratory-confirmed cases in Kampala, including one death, among people traveling from DRC. A laboratory-confirmed case was also reported in Kinshasa from a person returning from Ituri. Africa CDC warned of active community transmission and urged intensified screening and contact tracing. Locals in Bunia described frequent burials and fear amid uncertainty about the disease.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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