According to the ministry, the WHO on May 17 stressed that the declaration serves as an important warning for countries to strengthen surveillance, early detection and preparedness measures, but does not mean the disease has spread globally.
WHO reported that as of May 16, the Democratic Republic of the Congo had recorded eight laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths linked to the disease in Ituri province. In Uganda, two laboratory-confirmed cases, including one death in Kampala, were reported, with both patients having travelled from the Congo.
Ebola is a severe infectious disease that can cause serious illness and death. The virus spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected or deceased individuals, or through contaminated objects and surfaces. Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and rash, while some patients may experience bleeding. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport terminal in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran.
The ministry said it is closely monitoring developments, regularly updating information from WHO and national focal points implementing the International Health Regulations, while strengthening surveillance at medical facilities and health quarantine measures at border gates.
