In the eastern Ituri province of Congo, the Ebola virus has led to the deaths of 80 individuals, with 246 suspected cases identified. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Ebola a global health emergency, although it has not formally been classified as a pandemic. A case of Ebola has also been reported in Uganda, prompting Kenya to enforce strict monitoring at all entry points. Dated May 17, Kathmandu.
According to Congo’s Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kambaka, the initial infection is suspected to have been in a nurse who passed away on April 24. Laboratory tests have so far confirmed eight cases of the ‘Bundibugyo’ strain of Ebola. The disease is currently spreading in the Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongwalu areas of Ituri province. Ebola was first identified in Congo in 1976, and this marks the country’s 17th outbreak.
Experts have noted that this outbreak involves the ‘Bundibugyo’ strain, whereas most previous cases in Congo involved the ‘Zaire’ strain. Since most vaccines and treatments have been developed for the Zaire strain, the emergence of this new strain has raised concerns among officials. Residents of Bunia, the provincial capital of Ituri, have reported an atmosphere of fear amidst the outbreak.
Due to the risk of cross-border spread, neighboring Uganda, which shares a border with Congo, has reported one Ebola case. The infected patient died in a hospital in Kampala on May 14. Uganda has not yet confirmed local transmission of the virus. The Africa CDC has indicated a high risk of the disease spreading further in Uganda and South Sudan.
