The World Health Organization has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern” following growing fears of cross-border spread.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the WHO said the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus and poses a serious risk to neighbouring countries sharing borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, the agency clarified that the situation does not currently meet the criteria for a global pandemic emergency.
According to the WHO, at least 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed infections and 246 suspected cases have been recorded in Congo’s Ituri province as of Saturday.
The affected areas include Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu health zones.
Health authorities warned the actual scale of the outbreak could be significantly larger due to rising suspected cases and a high positivity rate among initial laboratory samples.
The current outbreak marks Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak since the deadly virus was first identified in the country in 1976.
The WHO also expressed concern because no approved vaccines or specific treatments currently exist for the Bundibugyo strain, unlike the more common Ebola-Zaire variant involved in most previous outbreaks.
Officials confirmed cases of international spread have already been documented.
In Kampala, two laboratory-confirmed infections linked to travellers arriving from Congo were reported, including one death.
Another confirmed case was also detected in Kinshasa involving an individual who had travelled from Ituri province.
The WHO has advised countries to strengthen border screening, activate emergency response systems and closely monitor people who may have been exposed to the virus.
Confirmed patients are required to be isolated immediately, while contacts are advised to avoid travel for at least 21 days after exposure.
Despite the growing concerns, the WHO urged governments not to close borders or impose unnecessary trade restrictions, warning such actions could encourage uncontrolled illegal crossings that are harder to monitor.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals or contaminated materials.
Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and body aches, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
