When the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency on Sunday, it wasn't because of the usual Ebola virus.
This outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is caused by Bundibugyo, a rare strain the world has no approved vaccine, no licensed treatment, and barely any experience fighting it.
The WHO's unprecedented move on 16 May classifies the outbreak as a "public health emergency of international concern" (PHEIC), the same level reserved for the most serious global health crises.
The Numbers
As of May 15, health officials recorded 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths in DRC's Ituri province, with only 4 deaths officially confirmed. By Tuesday May 19, the death toll had climbed beyond 120, with nearly 400 potential infections.
