Nagdeklara ang World Health Organization (WHO) ng public health emergency of international concern dahil sa pagkalat ng Ebola sa Democratic Republic of the Congo at Uganda.
Ayon sa WHO, ang outbreak ay sanhi ng Bundibugyo virus, isang uri ng Ebola virus, pero hindi pa ito pasok sa criteria ng pandemic emergency.
“The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), after having consulted the states parties…is hereby determining that the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), but does not meet the criteria of pandemic emergency,” saad ng WHO sa isang statement.
Binigyang-diin ng WHO na may malaking uncertainty pa sa tunay na bilang ng mga nahawa at sa lawak ng pagkalat ng outbreak.
Ayon sa organisasyon, “there are significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread associated with this event at the present time.”
Sa Democratic Republic of the Congo, sinabi ng WHO na hanggang May 16, 2026, mayroon nang eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, at 80 suspected deaths.
“As of May 16, 2026, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths have been reported” sa Democratic Republic of the Congo, ayon sa WHO.
Sa Uganda naman, may dalawang laboratory-confirmed cases na naitala noong May 15 at 16, kabilang ang isang namatay. Ayon sa WHO, wala pang malinaw na link ang dalawang kaso sa isa’t isa.
“In addition, two laboratory confirmed cases (including one death) with no apparent link to each other have been reported” sa Uganda noong May 15 at 16, “among two individuals travelling from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
Sa ngayon, itinuturing ng WHO na seryoso ang outbreak at nangangailangan ng coordinated international response, lalo na dahil may mga kumpirmadong kaso na sa dalawang bansa at may uncertainty pa sa aktuwal na lawak ng hawaan. /Bistado