The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. South African health officials say the risk of spread to the country remains low but stress the need for continued vigilance.
The declaration came on 16 May after the Bundibugyo virus strain was confirmed in Ituri province in the DRC. Health workers there reported an unusual cluster of severe illnesses and deaths. So far the outbreak has produced 10 confirmed cases, 390 suspected cases and at least 100 suspected deaths. One death has been confirmed in Uganda.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases assessed the risk to South Africa as low. Principal medical scientist Dr Jacqueline Weyer said continued monitoring is required. President Cyril Ramaphosa called for stronger surveillance and cross-border collaboration.
Professor Salim Abdool Karim warned that the new strain is hard to diagnose and urged swift readiness. “As soon as we identify a case, we’ve got to ensure we limit the number of contacts,” he said. South Africa has recorded only two Ebola cases in its history, both in 1996.
