The World Health Organization says the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo is worsening, with infections spreading quickly across the region.
World Health Organization has upgraded the national risk level of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo from “high” to “very high” as cases continue to rise.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak is “spreading rapidly”. He also confirmed that the wider regional risk across Africa remains high. Although the global threat is still considered low.
The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine. Health officials say the virus has caused 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths so far. However, 82 cases and seven deaths have been officially confirmed in DR Congo.
The WHO also confirmed two cases and one death in neighbouring Uganda linked to travel from DR Congo.
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Scientists at University of Oxford are developing an experimental vaccine that could soon enter clinical trials. Another vaccine candidate is also being developed, though testing may take longer.
The WHO declared the outbreak a global public health emergency earlier this week but said it has not reached pandemic status.
Health officials warned that insecurity and violence in eastern DR Congo are making containment efforts more difficult.
Meanwhile, an American doctor infected with the virus in DR Congo remains critically ill after being transferred to Germany for treatment.
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