In view of a fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda that has infected more than 600 people and caused at least 130 deaths in recent weeks, the WHO has declared the situation a PHEIC.
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In view of a fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda that has infected more than 600 people and caused at least 130 deaths in recent weeks, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the situation a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)', citing rising cases, cross-border spread, and uncertainties about the scale of the epidemic. The current outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, is believed to be confined to these two nations and transmission occurs through direct physical contact, but people are concerned as the virus can spread in several ways including trade between nations and movement of people. Moreover, cases can remain undetected for days.
Owing to this, several nations have announced temporary travel restrictions and preventive measures. The Government of India has also intensified Ebola surveillance and preparedness measures, although no cases have been detected in the country to date. States and Union Territories have been asked to heighten screening, strengthen response systems, and assess preparedness, including testing, management, and standard operating procedures for suspected cases. Given the 50 per cent fatality rate and the absence of a vaccine for the current Bundibugyo strain, it is imperative that the WHO and governments worldwide take swift action to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.
According to the WHO, the initial symptoms of Ebola disease include fever, fatigue, malaise, muscle pain, headache, and a sore throat. These are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rash, and symptoms of impaired kidney and liver functions, while some patients may develop internal and external bleeding. Health experts have informed that unlike COVID-19, Ebola primarily spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids, faeces, vomit, blood, or contaminated materials, but the long incubation period of up to 21 days increases the risk of community infection going undetected. Diagnosis presents another challenge due to the similarity of its early symptoms with other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid, and meningitis. Given the high fatality rate and the various challenges associated with the disease, including the absence of a vaccine or specific treatment, coordinated surveillance and containment measures are crucial to prevent the virus from spreading. While there is no need to panic, history has taught us the importance of vigilance, early detection, testing, awareness, and adherence to safety protocols to control such outbreaks. Sustained investment in healthcare, scientific cooperation, and financial support from the international community, particularly from developed countries, is vital to address epidemics. No country is truly safe until all countries are safe during a global health emergency.