Ebola Outbreak Alert Issued by WHO

The WHO was especially concerned about the possible spread to neighboring Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, which has connections to the affected area through the river systems.

Of the suspected cases, two have been confirmed as Ebola using laboratory tests, and 10 samples are awaiting results.

World Health Organization still needs Congo’s final authorization, which is expected in the coming days, Dr. Peter Salama, the agency’s emergencies chief, told reporters in Geneva.

In addition to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, past Ebola outbreaks have occurred in Gabon, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Republic of Congo and South Africa.

The worldwide humanitarian medical non-governmental organization also said, discussions are already underway with Congolese authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) to make the vaccines available.

Ebola virus disease, which most commonly affects people and nonhuman primates such as monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees, is caused by one of five Ebola viruses.

Salama emphasized that the vaccination operation for Ebola is far more complex than that for orally-administered polio vaccine.

On Wednesday, a team of a dozen experts deployed by the country’s health ministry arrived in the city of Mbandaka, about 100 miles from Bikoro, Ilunga says.

So far, 21 people have been reported to have hemorrhagic fever – a symptom of Ebola – of whom 17 have died.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says it has received a health alert from the Democratic Republic of Congo on Ebola outbreak. In its update today, the World Health Organization estimated the cost of a 3-month global response to be $18 million.

Normally a remote setting would reduce the chance of the disease spreading.

“We will also ensure we step up all activities screening people coming in so that we will not be caught unawares”, said health minister, Isaac Adewole.

If you don’t die from Ebola, you might suffer from long-term disability and stand the risk of being persistently infected with a chance of the disease reoccurring years later. “This situation worries us and requires an immediate and energetic response”. This is the fourth time that an Ebola outbreak has been reported in the former province of Equateur, following those of 1976, 1977 and 2014. “A standby ambulance with a driver and relevant protective gear has been provided by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and is available twenty four-seven”, Dr Mwebesa said in a press statement. A new experimental vaccine has been shown to be highly effective against the virus, though quantities are now limited.