On May 17 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an ebola epidemic a ‘public health emergency of international concern”. At least 88 people have died and there are an additional 300 suspected case of ebola in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. In a social media post, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency but that neighboring countries are at high risk of further spread. Health officials have confirmed the current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a rare type of Ebola disease that has no approved therapeutics or vaccines. Although more than 20 Ebola outbreaks have taken place in the DRC and Uganda, this is only the third time BVD has been reported.
The Ebola virus is highly contagious and can be contracted through bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen. The disease it causes is rare, but severe and often fatal. The Bundibugyo strain was discovered in 2007 and is fatal in about 30% of cases.
