WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DR Congo to be global public health emergency

The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to be a public health emergency of international concern.

The announcement on Sunday came after an outbreak of the disease was confirmed in the DRC’s northeastern province of Ituri. The African Union’s public health agency reported 87 suspected deaths.

The WHO said two cases were reported among people traveling from the DRC to Uganda. It added that given the high positivity rate of the initial samples collected, the outbreak may be much larger than currently detected, with a significant risk of local and regional spread.

The UN agency said the outbreak does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency.

Ituri Province is near an area with a concentration of critical mineral mines, which is effectively controlled by anti-government forces.

The WHO called for international cooperation to understand the extent of the outbreak and to coordinate response efforts.

The agency declared a public health emergency of international concern during an Ebola outbreak in the DRC from 2018 to 2020.