WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo a Public Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) a public health emergency of international concern. This decision was made after a meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee on Tuesday in Geneva. According to WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus, the risk is high at both the regional and national levels, but it doesn't represent a pandemic emergency.

The Ebola outbreak is currently affecting the eastern part of the DRC, particularly in the Ituri province. Decades of violence have contributed to chronic vulnerability among the population, including healthcare workers, in this province. WHO teams are already working with community leaders in the epicentre province to help prevent wider transmission. Dr Marie Roseline Belizaire, WHO's Regional Emergency Director, stated that they'll continue to provide support to the population, despite the ongoing insecurity.

The outbreak is caused by the Ebola Bundibugyo virus, which is extremely rare and was last detected in 2007. There are almost 600 suspected cases of the virus and 139 suspected deaths, in addition to several dozen confirmed cases of infection. Uganda has also reported two confirmed cases of Ebola in Kampala, the country's capital. The WHO is working to investigate the outbreak and determine when and where it started. Investigations suggest that it probably began a couple of months ago.

According to Dr Anais Legand, WHO Technical Officer for Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers, the organization was able to provide support to the DRC to investigate the outbreak as soon as they were aware of the threat. The Ebola Bundibugyo virus was only identified after samples were transported over 1,700 kilometers to the capital, Kinshasa, for laboratory confirmation. The WHO is stressing that Ebola transmission is through direct contact with blood and body fluids of an infected person. This is likely how a patient who died on May 5 in Bunia, the capital city of Ituri province, infected their family members after they decided to replace the coffin.

"So, it's not casual contact; it's not airborne. I think we need to be aware of that. And this relates to travel restrictions, which aren't supported under the (International Health Regulations) IHR recommendations," said Prof. Lucille Blumberg, Chair of the WHO Emergency Committee.

The WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern in accordance with IHR Article 12. The organization is working to bring the outbreak under control, given the ongoing humanitarian crisis, security challenges, and highly mobile population in the affected areas. The WHO is calling for additional resources, including intensified surveillance and identification of potential contacts, to combat the outbreak. They're working to prevent further transmission and bring the outbreak under control.

• Almost 600 suspected cases of Ebola have been reported.
• There are 139 suspected deaths.
• Several dozen confirmed cases of infection have been identified.
• 2 confirmed cases of Ebola have been reported in Uganda's capital, Kampala.
• The outbreak is caused by the Ebola Bundibugyo virus.

The WHO's declaration of a public health emergency of international concern highlights the need for increased support and resources to combat the outbreak. The organization is working closely with community leaders and healthcare workers to prevent further transmission and bring the outbreak under control. As the situation continues to unfold, the WHO will provide updates and guidance to help mitigate the spread of the virus.

In the context of the outbreak, the challenges faced by the WHO and local healthcare workers in responding to the crisis are significant. The ongoing insecurity and violence in the affected areas have contributed to the vulnerability of the population. They've also made it difficult to detect and respond to the outbreak. The WHO's efforts to provide support and resources to the affected areas are crucial in preventing further transmission and bringing the outbreak under control.

Given the scale of the outbreak, the WHO is working to investigate and determine the origin of the outbreak. They're also working to identify potential contacts and prevent further transmission. The declaration of a public health emergency of international concern is a crucial step in responding to the outbreak and preventing further spread of the virus. It allows the WHO to mobilize resources and support to combat the outbreak. The organization won't stop working until the outbreak is under control.