Airborne: Will Ebola spread to the U.S. and other countries?

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (INTELLIHUB) — The World Health Organization has designated Ebola a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” as the deadly virus threatens all of humanity.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom on July 19 accepted the Emergency Committee’s recommendation which reinforces that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Statement from the WHO website:

The decision was based on the recent developments in the outbreak, including the geographical expansion of the virus. The declaration of the PHEIC is not a reflection on the performance of the response team but rather a measure that recognizes the possible increased national and regional risks and the need for intensified and coordinated action to manage them. The Committee and WHO do not recommend any restrictions on travel or trade, which can hamper the fight against Ebola by affecting the movement of people and supplies. Further information, including temporary recommendations advised by the Emergency Committee, is available in the statement, speech by WHO Director-General, and news release.

Current statistics on Ebola in the DRC:

Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 16 July 2019* (WHO)

Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 16 July 2019* (WHO)

Table 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases, and number of health areas affected, by health zone, North Kivu and Ituri provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo, data as of 16 July 2019** (WHO)