The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global warning over the rapid spread of the deadly Ebola virus in parts of Africa. Following a sharp rise in infections in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, WHO has declared the outbreak a “global health emergency” amid fears that the virus could spread across borders to other countries.

Health agencies and neighbouring nations have intensified surveillance and emergency preparedness measures as concerns grow over a potentially dangerous new strain of the virus.

Ebola Outbreak Worsens in Congo

The Ebola outbreak has created panic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the eastern Ituri province. According to Congo’s Health Ministry, at least 80 people have died due to the virus.

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba Mulamba said laboratory tests conducted on Thursday confirmed eight Ebola cases linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in the health zones of Rwampara, Mongwalu, and Bunia.

The ministry further stated that a total of 246 suspected Ebola cases have been reported so far.

Nurse Among Suspected Victims

Among the suspected cases was a nurse working at the Evangelical Medical Centre in Bunia. Officials said the healthcare worker died after suffering symptoms including fever, bleeding, vomiting, and extreme weakness.

Authorities are now tracing contacts and increasing testing efforts in affected regions to contain the spread of the disease.

South Sudan Activates Emergency Response

Neighbouring South Sudan has also gone on high alert following the outbreak in Congo.

The South Sudanese government announced that it has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in response to the situation. Surveillance systems, laboratory testing, and border monitoring have been strengthened, while teams of healthcare workers have been directed to remain prepared for rapid response.

African Nations Hold Emergency Meeting

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said an emergency meeting has been convened with Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, and global health partners to strengthen cross-border surveillance, preparedness, and response measures.

The agency stated that most deaths and suspected cases have been reported from Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. At least four deaths have already been confirmed among laboratory-tested Ebola patients.

Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia, the provincial capital, raising fears of wider transmission.

Concerns Grow Over Possible New Ebola Strain

Health experts are increasingly concerned about the possibility of a new Ebola strain being involved in the outbreak.

According to preliminary investigations, the virus does not appear to belong to the Zaire strain, which has caused most of Congo’s previous Ebola outbreaks. Further genetic sequencing is currently underway to identify the exact characteristics of the virus.

Renowned Congolese virologist Jean-Jacques Muyembe told Reuters that nearly all of Congo’s previous 16 Ebola outbreaks were linked to the Zaire strain, except one.

Experts warned that the emergence of a different strain could complicate the response effort, as existing vaccines and treatments were mainly developed for the Zaire variant of Ebola.

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