Ebola in Congo, WHO alert: health emergency
Eight cases caused by a virus for which there are no approved drugs or vaccines
The World Health Organisation has declared an international health emergency due to a rare strain of Ebola that has killed dozens of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The epidemic is currently not classified as a pandemic because, the WHO explains, it does not meet the criteria.
However, the agency warned that this could potentially be a 'much larger' outbreak than currently detected and reported, with a significant risk of local and regional spread.
The current strain of Ebola is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, the health agency quoted by the BBC said, for which there are no approved drugs or vaccines. Initial symptoms include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes and bleeding.
The WHO stated that there are currently eight laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus, with other suspected cases and deaths in three health zones, including Bunia, capital of Ituri province, and the mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara. One case of the virus was confirmed in the capital Kinshasa, allegedly in a patient returning from Ituri.
The WHO said the virus had spread beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo, with two confirmed cases reported in neighbouring Uganda. Ugandan authorities said a 59-year-old man, who died on Thursday, had tested positive.
