WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, Uganda

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern.” The WHO said in a statement that the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency, as defined under the International Health Regulations (IHR).

The statement said that the director-general of the WHO, under the provisions of the IHR, will be convening an emergency committee as soon as possible to advice on the proposed temporary recommendation for state parties to response to the event. As of Saturday, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths had been reported in DR Congo’s Ituri Province, across at least three health zones.