The has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo poses a high risk at the national and regional levels, although the global risk remains low.
WHO Director-General disclosed that 51 confirmed cases have so far been recorded in eastern DRC, particularly in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, while hundreds of suspected cases and deaths are still under investigation.
According to the WHO, the outbreak may have been spreading for months before it was officially detected, raising concerns about further transmission across the region.
Uganda has already confirmed two cases in Kampala, including one death, while a US national working in the DRC tested positive and was transferred to Germany for treatment.
Despite declaring the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, WHO officials clarified that the situation does not currently meet the threshold for a global pandemic emergency.
Health authorities say efforts are now focused on contact tracing, isolation of suspected cases, vaccination, and strengthening preventive measures to contain the virus.
