The most recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC or DR Congo) is worsening. The World Health Organization (WHO) director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is concerned that population movement is going to exacerbate the already tense situation.
One main concern is that this outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. The affected area is a mining zone with constant population movement, increasing the risk of the virus spreading further across the region.
This is already the worst outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus in world history, and its rapid spread is of major concern for most health officials familiar with hemorrhagic diseases.
The Ebola Scare Begins: The Worst Outbreak Of Bundibugyo Virus Disease In World History
Ghebreyesus warned that the outbreak could worsen rapidly, citing several factors driving the spread of the virus. According to the WHO, the number of cases is expected to rise further because Ebola had likely been “circulating for weeks” before health authorities detected the outbreak. Cases have already been identified in several urban areas, while healthcare workers are among the dead, raising fears of transmission inside medical facilities. –RT
DR Congo and Uganda confirmed their first Ebola cases on May 15th. The WHO declared the outbreak a global public health emergency on Sunday, and now suspected cases have spiked along with deaths.
The Ebola Outbreak is More Concerning Than The Hantavirus
Nearly 600 suspected Ebola infections and at least 139 suspected deaths have been reported during this outbreak in eastern DR Congo alone, the WHO announced on Wednesday.
Congolese Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba has reported that the country has so far recorded 543 suspected Ebola cases.
African countries are seemingly simultaneously tightening Ebola prevention measures. Burundi, Zambia, and Tanzania have strengthened border controls, surveillance, and testing capacity, while Rwanda temporarily closed its border with DR Congo.
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