WHO declares international health emergency over Ebola outbreak in Africa
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) over Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, where an outbreak is suspected to have infected hundreds of people.
The declaration was issued Sunday by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus after consultations with Congo and Uganda, where Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus is now known to be occurring.
WHO said the outbreak meets the threshold for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, or PHEIC, but does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency.
As of May 16, WHO said eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths had been reported in Congo’s Ituri Province, where the outbreak has affected at least three health zones, including the city of Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.
Africa CDC reported a higher toll, saying the outbreak has risen to 336 suspected cases and 87 suspected deaths.
The outbreak has already raised concern because of suspected community deaths across several areas of Ituri and at least four deaths among health care workers with symptoms consistent with viral hemorrhagic fever. WHO said those deaths point to possible health care-associated transmission and gaps in infection prevention measures.
The declaration also follows the confirmation of two cases in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, among people who had traveled from Congo. WHO said the cases were reported within 24 hours of each other on May 15 and May 16, with no apparent link between them.
A confirmed case was also reported Saturday in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, in a person returning from Ituri. Kinshasa is more than 900 miles (1,450 km) from Ituri and is one of Africa’s largest cities.
WHO said there are “significant uncertainties” about the true number of infected people and how far the outbreak has spread. It cited a high positivity rate among initial samples, with eight positives among 13 samples collected in several areas, along with the cases in Kampala and Kinshasa and an increase in suspected cases and clusters of deaths in Ituri.
The agency said the outbreak presents a risk of further international spread because of population movement, trade and travel links between Congo and neighboring countries. It also cited insecurity, a humanitarian crisis, high mobility and the presence of informal health facilities as factors that could make the outbreak harder to contain.
The outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, one of the Ebola viruses known to cause severe disease in humans. WHO said there are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics specific to Bundibugyo virus, unlike the Zaire Ebola strain, which has caused some of the deadliest Ebola outbreaks.
A PHEIC is WHO’s highest level of alert under the International Health Regulations and is meant to trigger international coordination, surveillance and response measures.
Dr. Tedros said he will convene an emergency committee as soon as possible to advise on temporary recommendations for countries responding to the outbreak.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
