From Africa CDC Confirming The Outbreak On May 15 To The EU Health Task Force Deploying Within Three Days. The International Response Is Moving At Pandemic-Era Speed
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), citing the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC, an Ebola virus disease outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) was reported on May 15 in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with laboratory analysis confirmed by the Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale.
On May 17, the WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Africa CDC declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on May 18.
As of May 20, approximately 600 suspected cases have been reported, including 139 deaths among suspected cases. Fifty-one confirmed cases have been reported in DRC and two imported cases in Uganda.
Bundibugyo virus disease is rare but historically produces outbreaks with high case fatality rates. ECDC activated the EU Health Task Force on May 18, deploying experts to support the response. The risk to people living in the EU/EEA is currently assessed as very low. ECDC continues to monitor the situation.
To check out our previous coverage on global health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks, read our articles here.
