Ebola may spread from Congo to other countries, says WHO

The disease has already reached Uganda, a neighbouring country

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the risk of the deadly Ebola virus spreading from Congo is now “very high” after two confirmed cases were found near the Uganda border.
The WHO raised its alert level because of violence by local militias, which has slowed down efforts to contain the outbreak, and increased population movements in eastern Congo, where the latest outbreak erupted in August.
“As the risk of national and regional spread is very high, it is important for neighbouring provinces and countries to enhance surveillance and preparedness activities.”
“WHO will continue to work with neighbouring countries and partners to ensure health authorities are alerted and are operationally ready to respond,” the world body said.
WHO said “the insecurity, public defiance about vaccinations and politicians fanning fears ahead of elections in December could create a ‘perfect storm’ leading this outbreak to spread.”

As the risk of national and regional spread is very high, it is important for neighbouring provinces and countries to enhance surveillance and preparedness activities.

Uganda has said it is preparing to begin vaccinations as needed. The latest outbreak has killed 101 people, according to a latest WHO tally.

In a video statement, Congo’s health minister, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, said the outbreak was now three times in size of the previous outbreak this summer in the central Equateur Province. He blamed several factors for this outbreak.
This particular outbreak is more risky because the affected area is densly populated, and moreover, this region has a population of traders, rather than farmers and they are more mobile because they are mostly traders who keep travelling. The region has better roads and water connections. Also this region is more dangerous because many militias operate in it.

There are many rumors about spreading Ebola that must be debunked, according to the health ministry’s Twitter feed. These include reports that prisoners with Ebola had escaped from the prison, that children were being vaccinated without their parents’ consent, and that schoolgirls who had their menstrual periods were being forced into treatment centers.