The declaration comes amid growing fears that the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, could spread rapidly across borders in Central and East Africa, especially to countries sharing boundaries with the DRC.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern following the deaths of at least 80 people linked to the deadly virus.
The declaration comes amid growing fears that the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, could spread rapidly across borders in Central and East Africa, especially to countries sharing boundaries with the DRC.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the United Nations health agency disclosed that 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected infections had been recorded as of Saturday in the DRC’s Ituri province.
According to the WHO, the cases have been detected across at least three health zones — Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.
