The World Health Organisation’s Africa Director, Mohamed Yakub Janabi, has warned against underestimating the growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, stressing that a single infection could trigger wider international transmission.
According to Congo’s health ministry, the outbreak has caused 160 suspected deaths from 670 suspected cases, with 61 infections officially confirmed. Uganda has also reported two confirmed cases.
WHO Africa Chief, Janabi, said the situation is particularly concerning because the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine.
READ ALSO: UN Releases $60 Million for Congo Ebola Response
He urged stronger international support and cooperation to contain the virus before it spreads further across borders.
Janabi also expressed concern that the Ebola outbreak has received far less global attention than the recent hantavirus incident linked to cruise ship passengers from multiple countries.
Ebola is a severe and often deadly disease spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated materials, or victims of the illness.
Health officials are currently increasing testing, infection prevention efforts, and public awareness campaigns, while also battling misinformation within affected communities.
Authorities are additionally working to identify the original source of the outbreak, a key step in tracing contacts and limiting further infections.
Reuters
