Ebola virus outbreak: WHO to hold ‘crunch talks over international emergency’
EBOLA virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to a nearby city of 1.2 million people. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reportedly called for an emergency meeting to discuss whether too declare an international emergency.
By MATT ATHERTON
Express.co.uk
Thu, May 17, 2018
An Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo has spread to the city of Mbandaka, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed.
The city has a population of almost 1.2 million people.
WHO is now “very concerned” about the arrival of the Ebola virus in an urban city, and has reportedly decided to call an expert committee on the subject.
It will decide whether to declare a “public health emergency of international concern,” according to Reuters.
A total of 44 Ebola cases were reported in the Congo, up until May 15.
Three cases were confirmed, 20 were ‘probable’ cases of Ebola, and 21 were ‘suspected’, the WHO said.
Until now, all of the confirmed cases of the virus were reported from the Bikoro health zone – about 150km from the city.
The global health watchdog is replying about 30 experts to Mbandaka in a bid to curb the virus’ spread.
“This is a concerning development, but we now have better tools than ever before to combat Ebola,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“WHO and our partners are taking decisive action to stop further spread of the virus.”
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