Ebola Outbreak in Congo

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern, the World Health Organisation said on Friday



WHO defines a public health emergency of international concern as "an extraordinary event" that constitutes a "public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease" and  "to potentially require a coordinated international response."

In announcing the decision by the committee, Dr Preben Aavitsland, the acting chair of the emergency committee, said "possible unintended consequences" and risks of an emergency declaration had been "extensively debated" by the committee member. Possible risks include border closures and restrictions on travel and trade that could " severely harm the economy" in Congo, he said.
"This is not a global emergency for (Congo) and it may affect neighboring countries."

Ultimately, the committee decided there was "potentially a lot to lose" by declaring a public health emergency, said Aavitsland, who emphasized that funding  is needed to continue efforts contain the outbreak.

The international community must "step up funding and strength support" for preparedness in Congo and neighboring countries, he said

The outbreak, which begun in August, is the second largest and second deadliest on record with 2,108 total cases and 1,411 total deaths as of Thursday, according to Congo's Ministry of Health.

The totals include confirmed cases and deaths that occurred earlier this week in Uganda. A 2014 outbreak in West Africa killed more than 11,000 people according to WHO.

In its announcement on Friday, the emergency committee recommended all at-risk countries put in place the necessary approvals for using investigation medicines and vaccines as part of their preparedness.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he would not hesitate to reconvene the emergency committee if needed.

"Although the outbreak does not at this time pose a global health treat, I want to emphasis that  for the affected families and communities,  this outbreak is very much an emergency, "he said. "We also need the international community to step up ts financial commitment to ending the outbreak."