Photo: EPA
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency over a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, Reuters reported on May 17.
According to the WHO, this is already the 17th outbreak of the disease in the region since Ebola was first identified in 1976. The current situation involves an Ebola strain linked to Bundibugyo virus disease and is considered a public health emergency of international concern due to its risk of cross-border spread, though it is not classified as a global pandemic emergency.
So far, authorities have reported around 80 suspected deaths, nine confirmed laboratory cases, and nearly 300 suspected infections. Health officials warn that the real scale may be larger due to high positivity rates in initial tests and increasing reports of new cases.
The WHO emphasized that neighboring countries face the highest risk because of population movement, trade, and travel links with affected areas, along with ongoing regional health system instability.
The outbreak raises concern that the virus could spread further across Central and West Africa, including countries that were heavily affected during the 2014 epidemic in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
Global health experts continue to monitor the situation closely, as Ebola remains one of the most lethal viral diseases, with historically high fatality rates depending on the outbreak and access to medical care.
