WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in DRC, Uganda a Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. The declaration, made on Sunday, concerns the Bundibugyo virus strain affecting Ituri province in the DRC. As of Saturday, the outbreak had resulted in eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths. While not classified as a pandemic emergency, the WHO warns that countries bordering the DRC are at high risk for further spread, noting that no approved treatments or vaccines exist for this strain.