Geneva – The World Health Organization (WHO) has increased the risk level of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to “very high,” raising concerns about a potential national outbreak.
This strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment, was deemed a global emergency by the WHO on Sunday. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Chief, shared that the organization is adjusting its risk assessment to indicate a very high risk at the national level, high at the regional level, and low globally.
So far, there have been 82 confirmed cases of Ebola in the DRC, leading to seven confirmed deaths, with an additional 177 suspected deaths and nearly 750 suspected cases. In Uganda, the situation is more stable, showcasing just two cases linked to travelers from DRC, one of which was fatal, according to Dr. Tedros.
Dr. Abdirahman Mahamud, WHO’s Director of Health Emergency Alert & Response Operations, expressed that the virus has a considerable potential for rapid spread, impacting the overall situation significantly. He noted that actions taken in Uganda, like rigorous contact tracing and canceling large gatherings, seem to be effective in controlling any further spread.
Additionally, an American national working in Congo has tested positive for Ebola and has been moved to Germany for treatment. There are also reports of another American with high-risk exposure who has been transferred to the Czech Republic.
WHO’s chief scientist, Sylvie Briand, mentioned that an experimental antiviral treatment called Obeldesivir might be used among those in contact with Ebola patients to help prevent the disease from developing. This drug, developed by Gilead Sciences, is originally an oral antiviral for COVID-19 and is seen as a hopeful option, although it will be administered under very strict protocols.
