Africa’s ‘unprecedented’ Ebola outbreak could reach UK, says top health official
Summary
The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has caused 10,091 reported cases and 4,891 deaths across the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Kenya, with a case also confirmed in Nigeria. Africa CDC director general Jean Kaseya warned that the outbreak could spread beyond Africa and urged countries to strengthen screening, testing and treatment preparedness.Key Facts
- The outbreak is the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s history.
- The outbreak was declared in Ituri province on 15 May, but virus sequencing indicates it began in February.
- Of 10,091 reported cases, 10,060 occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where 4,887 people died.
- Uganda and Kenya each reported two deaths.
- Nigeria confirmed a case in Abuja in a woman who had arrived from Uganda; France also confirmed a case in a doctor who had returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- The Bundibugyo virus has no approved treatment, and vaccine trials are under way.
- The response has faced shortages of protective equipment, unpaid health worker wages, conflict, mistrust, misinformation and cuts to global aid.
- Kaseya called for cross-border cooperation and screening and testing at entry and exit points.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
