Ebola Outbreak Declared Public Health Emergency
On 16 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that the current outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda represents a public health emergency of international concern.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the viral hemorrhagic disease, which is severe and often fatal, plus there are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for this particular strain of the virus. Those infected by the virus may experience fever, body aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. The virus is spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone or something already infected with Ebola, a contaminated material or surface, or with someone who has died of the disease.
The WHO reached this decision after a lab confirmed that eight people had the disease, while another 246 cases, along with 80 deaths, are suspected. The outbreak has most severely affected the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the majority of the cases occuring in the Ituri Province—an area that is already dealing with widespread militia violence.
“The event requires international coordination and cooperation to understand the extent of the outbreak, to coordinate surveillance, prevention and response efforts, to scale up and strengthen operations, and ensure ability to implement control measures,” a WHO statement said.
While the current status of the outbreak did not meet the criteria to be defined as a pandemic emergency, the agency noted that countries that share a land border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo are at a higher risk of seeing the spread of the disease to their residents.
“Health officials now believe that the first known case was a health worker in Bunia, DRC, who began experiencing fever, hemorrhaging, vomiting and intense malaise on 24 April. That person later died, according to WHO,” NPR reported.
There are three strains of the Ebola virus that have infected humans, including the Bundibugyo, Ebola, and Sudan viruses, according to the WHO. While all three are rare, they are often fatal. Although there are licensed vaccines and treatments for the Ebola strain, there are neither for the other two viruses.
The Bundibugyo virus is relatively rare compared to the others, with that rarity delaying an effective response against the disease. Initial testing was looking for the more common versions of the virus, which initially failed to identify it until samples were sent to specialized testing centers, according to NPR.
In response to the current outbreak, the United States has banned travel from three African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda. The ban does not apply to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and will remain in effect for 30 days from 18 May. Six U.S. citizens are reported to have been exposed to the virus, Scientific American reported.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that they will work to contact trace anyone that recently entered the country. The incubation period for this strain of Ebola is usually between two and 21 days, and most people develop symptoms within four to 10 days after exposure, according to the CDC.
The CDC also announced that at least one American had tested positive for the virus, which media outlets identified as Dr. Peter Stafford, a medical missionary working in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to The New York Times, the U.S. government is trying to move Stafford and other “high-risk contacts” to Germany for medical treatment and monitoring.
In March, Security Management published several articles on Pandemic Readiness and Biosecurity.
