New Delhi: Ebola has reared its head again in Africa. After more than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths were reported in Congo and Uganda, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Sunday declared the Ebola outbreak a global health emergency.
In a statement shared on X, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic, and advised against the closure of international borders.
WHO has emphasised that early intensive care, strict infection control and vaccination, where possible, are essential to contain the spread of the virus.
Where it started
The outbreak was first reported in Ituri province, in northeast Congo, near the border with Uganda and South Sudan, according to Africa’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The outbreak began in the busy mining area of Mongwalu. Those infected went to other places to get treated as people in Ituri struggle to access healthcare, and spread the disease. Africa CDC has warned that human movements, weak healthcare infrastructure and violence by armed groups in Ituri could make containment effort difficult.
What is Ebola?
Ebola is a rare, but severe and often fatal disease, caused by three viruses — Ebola virus, Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus. Case fatality rates in earlier outbreaks ranged from 25% to 90%, with an average around 50%.
It’s highly contagious and spreads through bodily fluids, including vomit, blood, or semen.
Symptoms to watch for
Ebola symptoms can appear 2 to 21 days after infection. Among early signs are fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rash, and kidney or liver problems.
Bleeding is less common, but can occur at an advanced stage of the disease, including blood in vomit or faeces, and at needle puncture sites. Ebola can also affect the central nervous system, causing confusion, irritability, and aggression.
Treatment and vaccines
There is no approved treatments for the Bundibugyo virus currently. WHO recommends a package of measures like supportive care, infection prevention, disease surveillance, laboratory services, safe burials, vaccination when available, and social mobilisation.
Vaccines are available for Ebola virus disease, such as Ervebo and Zabdeno/Mvabea, which can be used during outbreaks or for prevention among healthcare workers. For other Ebola viruses, candidate vaccines are under development, and clinical trial protocols are in place.
