Ebola Risk Raised to 'Very High' Amid DR Congo Outbreak

The World Health Organization has raised the public health risk assessment for the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to 'very high' at the national level. The risk in the wider African region is considered high, while the global risk remains low. This particular species of Ebola, Bundibugyo, has no proven vaccine and a mortality rate of about one-third.

As of the latest update, the outbreak has resulted in 177 suspected deaths and 750 suspected cases. In response, scientists are actively developing new vaccines. Researchers at Oxford University are working on a vaccine anticipated for clinical trials in two to three months, with another experimental vaccine expected to be ready for testing in six to nine months.

The WHO also noted the situation in Uganda, where two confirmed cases of the Bundibugyo species and one death have occurred. Both cases were linked to individuals traveling from neighboring DR Congo, and the situation there is described as stable. The WHO chief emphasized the importance of building trust and addressing violence and insecurity, which are hampering response efforts in the conflict-ridden region.