The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern. More than 130 people are thought to have lost their lives, with over 500 suspected cases recorded in an Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, according to an alarming update from the country's health ministry.
US President Expresses Concern
US President Donald Trump has also stated he is "concerned" after an American citizen was among those who tested positive for the virus. Samuel Roger Kamba, the Congolese minister of public health, confirmed: "513 suspected cases and 131 deaths have been recorded in the affected areas. These are suspected deaths, and investigations are underway to determine which ones are actually linked to the disease."
WHO Emergency Declaration
The WHO has officially declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. When questioned about the outbreak, Trump said: "I'm concerned about everything, but certainly [I] am." He added, "I think that it's been confined right now to Africa, but it's something that has had a breakout."
Rare Strain of Ebola
Health officials have confirmed that the outbreak, first identified on Friday, is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, an uncommon strain of the Ebola disease for which no approved treatments or vaccines currently exist. While more than 20 Ebola outbreaks have previously occurred in Congo and Uganda, this marks only the third recorded instance of the Bundibugyo virus being detected. Cases have now been confirmed in Bunia, North Kivu's rebel-held capital of Goma, Mongbwalu, Butembo, and Nyakunde.
WHO Director-General's Statement
Speaking in Geneva on Tuesday, the World Health Organization's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that he is "deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic", adding that the UN health agency will be convening its emergency committee to provide guidance and recommendations.
