The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern following an Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa [1].
This declaration is critical because the outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which no approved vaccine currently exists [1]. The lack of a medical countermeasure increases the urgency of containment efforts in the affected regions.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said this week regarding the crisis [1]. He said, "I am deeply concerned about the scale and speed of its spread."
Health officials said there are more than 500 confirmed cases of the virus [1]. The outbreak has been concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, where there are over 130 suspected deaths [1].
While the virus is highly transmissible, the WHO said the risk of widespread global transmission remains low [1]. This assessment is based on limited international travel from the region and the implementation of containment measures [1].
Some reports have conflicted on the level of risk, but the WHO said that while the risk may be high at national and regional levels, the global threat is minimal [1].
“"I am deeply concerned about the scale and speed of its spread."”
The emergency declaration allows the WHO to coordinate an international response and mobilize resources more effectively. Because the Bundibugyo strain lacks a vaccine, the global health community must rely on non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as contact tracing and strict quarantine, to prevent the virus from reaching urban hubs with high international transit.
