132 deaths in DR Congo, Uganda due to Ebola outbreak: WHO

World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday noted that a total of 528 suspected cases, including 132 deaths, have been reported due to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as of May 18. A total of 668 contacts were identified, including 541 in DR Congo and 127 in Uganda. The contact follow-up remained challenging in some areas of DRC due to insecurity and movement restrictions, WHO said.

The United Nations' health agency had declared the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus a public health emergency of international concern. In a statement on X, WHO stated that of the 12 suspected cases reported from Uganda, two were confirmed through laboratory testing, while the rest tested negative.

WHO stated that alert management and case investigations are being scaled up in the affected countries. In DR Congo, a total of 38 experts, 20 from the Ministry of Health and 18 from WHO, have been deployed from Kinshasa to Bunia to support response operations. Over 17 tons of emergency supplies were shipped to DRC, including personal protective equipment, medical supplies, tents, stretchers and medicines. The WHO is expanding the laboratory capacity, with deployment of lab teams and mobile laboratories to affected areas in DRC to increase local testing and diagnostic activities. Risk communications and community engagement are also being scaled up to make sure communities are actively included in the response.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry in India is also closely monitoring the outbreak of Ebola disease in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, sources in the ministry have informed. Senior officials of the Ministry, including officials from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), ICMR and other concerned divisions, have reviewed the evolving situation and initiated precautionary public health measures.

A senior official in the Ministry of Health clarified on Monday that there is no reported case of Ebola in India, and the current risk to the country remains minimal. However, as a matter of abundant caution, surveillance and preparedness measures are being strengthened at points of entry and within the public health system. (ANI)

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