WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda a global public health emergency
Overview of the Ebola Outbreak and International Response
May 17 (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation on Sunday declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a "public health emergency of international concern".
WHO Assessment of the Outbreak
The WHO said the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency.
Current Situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The U.N. health agency said in a statement that 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected cases had been reported as of Saturday in DRC's Ituri province across at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.
DRC Health Ministry Update
The DRC health ministry had said on Friday that 80 people had died in the new outbreak in the eastern province.
Spread to Uganda and Other Regions
In Uganda's capital, Kampala, two apparently unrelated laboratory-confirmed cases, including one death, were reported on Friday and Saturday, from people travelling from the DRC, the WHO said.
Case Reported in Kinshasa
A laboratory-confirmed case was also reported in the DRC capital, Kinshasa, from a person returning from Ituri, the WHO said.
Reporting and Editing Credits
(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)
