By Anon, Anglican Ink.
The Most Revd Georges Titre Ande, Archbishop of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Bishop of Aru, has stressed the need for ‘prayers and practical action’ in response to the Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda in central Africa. The situation has been declared a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’ by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The outbreak is thought to be caused by Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola strain which currently has no approved therapeutics or vaccines. WHO said the outbreak does not currently meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency, but said international coordination is needed to help contain the spread of the disease. WHO has also urged the importance of early diagnosis and supportive care with Bundibugyo Ebola, given that previous outbreaks have had case fatality rates of between 30 and 50 per cent.
As of 16 May, WHO reported eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths in Ituri Province, in north-eastern DRC, across at least three health zones: Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu. Two laboratory-confirmed cases, including one death, have also been reported in Kampala, Uganda, among people travelling from DRC.
WHO said the situation is of particular concern because of suspected community transmission, deaths among health workers, uncertainty about the true number of infected people and the geographic spread of the outbreak. The affected areas are also experiencing insecurity and population movement, increasing the risk of further spread. The outbreak also comes at a particularly challenging time, as it is the first time the DRC has faced Ebola since the dismantling of USAID, which had previously invested more than $300 million in fighting Ebola in the country and played a central role in outbreak surveillance and response. (CBS News)