Ebola update: WHO on the ground to help contain outbreak

Over the weekend, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.As of Saturday, 16 May, health authorities had recorded eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths in Ituri province in eastern DRC.Uganda also confirmed two Ebola cases – including one death reported in capital Kampala – among travellers arriving from the DRC.“Ebola is a very serious disease, but it’s one that we know how to control,” said Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.Speaking to UN News’ Flora Nducha, he explained the measures WHO is taking to contain the spread of the virus and called on the media to share accurate information to avoid a “fear outbreak”.