WHO puts Uganda on alert over Ebola outbreak

Nine countries neighbouring DR Congo including Uganda have been warned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General to be on the alert regarding a possible Ebola outbreak.

This follows a new report released by the Emergency Committee that was instituted to carryout investigations on the Ebola effect in DR Congo since it was reported in May.

According to the emergency committee statement, nine countries neighbouring DR Congo have been told that there is a likelihood that the virus could spread to their territories.

These include: Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan among others.

On 1 August 2018, WHO was notified by the ministry of Health of DR Congo of an Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province.

Cases were also subsequently found in Ituri Province.

From 4 May to 15 October 2018, 216 cases were reported, of which 181 are confirmed and 35 are probable; 139 total deaths have occurred, of which 104 are confirmed and 35 are probable.

The global case fatality rate stands at 64% overall, and at 57% among confirmed cases.

In September, the ministry of Health of Uganda in a press statement declared Uganda an Ebola free country even when the virus spread to areas near Uganda-DR Congo border.

According to the WHO emergency committee, the new cases being identified without epidemiological links are of great concern and require further detailed epidemiological mapping.

‘’The assessment of the risk of spread is low at global level but it is very high at both national and regional levels.’’

There has been no change to the risk assessment since 28 September.

The committee also noted some positive developments and commended the government of the DRC, WHO, and all response partners for the progress made under difficult circumstances.