WHO confirms Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo
WHO has announced 17 confirmed cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighting the ongoing global health risks and the need for cooperation.
A rare Ebola outbreak in central Africa has killed at least 80 people and the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern.
On May 17, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the outbreak of Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola, after at least 80 people were killed and nearly 250 suspected cases were reported in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Meanwhile, the actual number of suspected infections is expected to be much higher, Reuters reported.
Officials in neighboring Uganda said two cases (including one death) were confirmed among travelers from Congo in the capital Kampala, but test results showed no clear link. Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, also reported another laboratory-confirmed case of the virus in a person who had returned from Ituri province in eastern Congo, which is the epicenter of the outbreak.
The WHO said the outbreak had not yet reached pandemic level under international health regulations. Health experts told USA TODAY the risk to Americans is low at this time. The last Ebola outbreak was recorded from 2013 to 2016, with 28,652 cases and 11,325 deaths reported in 10 countries worldwide, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced at a press conference on May 17 that it had activated its emergency response center. The agency said it is also working with interagency partners to provide in-country support for surveillance, contact tracing and other preventive measures.
Here’s what else you need to know about infectious diseases:
What is Ebola?
Ebola is a “serious and life-threatening” type of viral infection that damages blood vessels, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It is caused by a group of viruses known as ortho-Ebola viruses and can cause serious illness that can be fatal if untreated.
According to the CDC, the ortho-Ebola virus is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa.
How does Ebola spread?
Ebola virus is transmitted to people from wild animals such as fruit bats, porcupines, and non-human primates, and fruit bats are thought to be the natural host of ortho-Ebola virus. According to the WHO, humans can become infected with the virus through “close contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected animals that are sick, dead, or found in the rainforest,” but the CDC says this is rare.
According to the WHO, human-to-human transmission occurs “through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, and other body fluids of an infected person, and through direct contact with surfaces and materials (e.g., bedding, clothing) contaminated with these body fluids.”
“People cannot transmit the disease before they develop symptoms, and they remain infectious as long as they have the virus in their blood,” the WHO said.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever symptoms
Symptoms of Ebola typically appear two to 21 days after exposure to the virus, and often begin with “dry” and “general” symptoms, such as fever, aches, aches, and fatigue, according to the CDC.
As symptoms worsen, “wet” symptoms usually develop, such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rash, and unexplained bleeding.
Other symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion, red eyes, rash, hiccups, and seizures.
Ebola is difficult to diagnose clinically because the symptoms of the early stages of the disease are similar to other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, bacteriosis, meningitis, and other viral hemorrhagic fevers.
Is there a vaccine for Ebola hemorrhagic fever?
yes. According to the CDC, Ervevo is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only for the prevention of Ebola hemorrhagic fever of the ortho-Ebola virus xilense species. This vaccine is recommended for adults 18 years and older who are at potential risk of contracting the Ebola virus. However, the CDC said it can only be administered to patients who meet certain criteria, adding that at-risk patients are encouraged to contact their health care provider immediately for the best course of action.
Meanwhile, the WHO lists two approved vaccines on its website, including Ervevo (Merck & Co.) and Zabdeno & Mbavea (Janssen Pharmaceutica), adding that the Ervevo vaccine is recommended as part of the outbreak response.
Contributor: Eduardo Cuevas
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
