WHO head ‘deeply concerned’ by Ebola outbreak as cases and deaths surge in DRC
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) director general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed deep concern about a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Since the outbreak began, there have been over 500 suspected cases and 130 deaths, with confirmed cases also appearing in Uganda and a US citizen testing positive and receiving treatment in Germany.Key Facts
- At least 500 suspected Ebola cases and 130 deaths have been reported in the DRC since the outbreak began.
- Thirty cases and one death are confirmed in Ituri province, DRC; one case and one death confirmed in Kampala, Uganda.
- A US citizen infected with Ebola was transferred to Germany for treatment.
- Dr. Tedros declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern before convening an emergency committee.
- The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no vaccines or specific treatments available.
- Cases have appeared in urban areas, making the virus easier to spread and raising concerns about transmission in health facilities.
- Conflict and violence in the affected DRC region have displaced over 100,000 people, complicating the response to the outbreak.
- Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids and has an average fatality rate around 50%.
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