WHO Declares Ebola Emergency of International Concern

On Sunday, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that although the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, it does not meet the criteria of pandemic emergency. In making this decision, WHO assessed the risk to human health, the risk of international spread of disease, and of the risk of interference with international traffic.

As of May 16, the WHO has confirmed eight laboratory cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths in Ituri Province of the DRC across at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu. In addition, two laboratory confirmed cases (including one death) with no apparent link to each other have been reported in Kampala, Uganda, within 24 hours of each other, on May 15 and 16, among two individuals traveling from the DRC. 

The WHO called the outbreak extraordinary as currently no approved treatments or vaccines specific to the Bundibugyo virus exist, CNN reported. The fatality rate involving the Bundibugyo strain is estimated to be between 25% and 40%, according to Doctors Without Borders, or Médecins Sans Frontières.

Currently, the WHO said significant uncertainties abound as to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread associated with this event. In addition, the WHO has limited understanding of the epidemiological links with known or suspected cases. However, the agency said all signs point toward a potentially much larger outbreak than what is currently being detected and reported, with significant local and regional risk of spread. Moreover, the ongoing insecurity, humanitarian crisis, high population mobility, urban or semi-urban nature of the current hotspot, and the large network of informal healthcare facilities further compound the risk of spread.

Additionally on Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it is working to relocate a “small number of Americans” who are directly affected by this outbreak. STAT reported that a number of Americans have been exposed to the virus, with several deemed to have had high-risk exposures. At least one of these individuals may have developed symptoms.

Currently, the risk to the American public remains low. Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and does not spread through casual contact or air. CDC continues to monitor the situation and has systems in place to detect and respond rapidly to potential public health threats.

The CDC said the current outbreak mark’s the DRC’s 18th Ebola virus outbreak since 1976, and its second outbreak of Bundibugyo virus.