Share to ClassroomWHO Calls Rare Ebola Spread an Emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an international health emergency. An outbreak of Ebola, a deadly disease, has spread from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into neighbouring Uganda. The head of the WHO said he was very worried about how fast it was spreading. Officials have confirmed over 130 deaths and over 500 suspected cases in the DRC. But experts believe the real total may already be more than 1,000.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, a rare type of Ebola. It has appeared only twice before. Each time, it killed about one in three infected people. There is no approved vaccine for this strain and no special treatment. Some medicines exist, but they were made for a different type of Ebola. Experts think the virus spread for weeks before doctors found it. Stopping it is hard because the outbreak began in a region damaged by years of war.
Health teams are working hard to stop the disease. They are finding people who were near patients and keeping sick people apart. The WHO has given almost $4mand is sending protective clothing and medicine. The United States, once a leader in this kind of work, has done little this time. African health officials want nearby countries to check travellers carefully instead of banning travel.
