WHO says Ebola risk is high in Africa but low globally
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has assessed the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a high risk at national and regional levels, but low globally. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO chief, explained that the outbreak is more severe in the DRC's eastern provinces, with confirmed and suspected cases continuing to rise. The emergency committee has stated that the situation does not meet the threshold for a pandemic emergency. Efforts are ongoing to trace contacts and contain the spread of the virus.
Highlights
- WHO reports 51 confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC, mainly in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, but the actual scale is believed to be larger.
- Uganda has reported two confirmed cases in Kampala, including one death, and a US national has been transferred to Germany after testing positive.
- There are nearly 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths, with numbers expected to rise as investigations continue.
- The outbreak is classified as a public health emergency of international concern, but not as a pandemic.
- Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of contact tracing, isolation, and care for all suspected and confirmed cases to halt transmission.
