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Ebola outbreak declared public health emergency in Congo and Uganda

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WHO classifies the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern amid rising cases in eastern Congo and cross-border risk for Uganda

The World Health Organization has declared the situation an “Ebola outbreak declared public health emergency in Congo and Uganda,” warning that the spread of the virus in the region now represents a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The agency clarified that the outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, does not meet the threshold for a pandemic classification. However, it stressed that countries sharing land borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo face a significantly elevated risk of further transmission.

As of May 16, data from the Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo show 80 suspected deaths. Laboratory testing has confirmed 8 cases, while 246 additional suspected cases have been identified across at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has activated an EU health task force and deployed experts to assist response operations. The agency warned that substantial uncertainty remains regarding the scale of transmission, noting that the outbreak may be more extensive than current surveillance indicates.

According to the ECDC, containment efforts are being hampered by insecurity and humanitarian challenges in affected areas. The Bundibugyo strain further complicates the response, as no approved vaccines or specific treatments are currently available for this variant.

ECDC Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner met with Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, to coordinate ongoing operational support. As an initial step, an EU task force expert will be sent to the Africa CDC headquarters to assist with coordination and planning.

The agency is also coordinating with the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations mechanism and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network to evaluate the possible deployment of additional specialists. These may include experts in epidemiology, infection prevention, surveillance, and risk communication, depending on how the situation evolves in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

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