At least 100 deaths have been reported in an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with more than 390 cases suspected, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has informed the BBC.
Jean Kaseya emphasized the urgency of following public health measures, especially during funerals of Ebola victims, due to the absence of authorized treatments or vaccines.
In addition to the situation in DR Congo, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported two confirmed cases and one death in Uganda linked to this outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the current Ebola strain, identified as the Bundibugyo virus, as an international health emergency and has cautioned that it could escalate into a more significant outbreak.
Healthcare responses include strict public health measures in affected areas and increased collaboration between DR Congo and Uganda to monitor further spread. Kaseya noted that historically, community funerals have been a source of previous outbreaks, indicating the critical need to handle such gatherings with care.
The WHO further urged neighboring countries to bolster their preparedness and health surveillance protocols to prevent cross-border outbreaks.
