Ebola risk raised to 'very high' in DR Congo: WHO

Alsharq Tribune-M.Essam 

The World Health Organization has revised its risk assessment of the Ebola virus from "high" to "very high" within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But it says the risk remains low at a global level.

The WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern following the outbreak in the DRC and the confirmation of cases in neighboring Uganda.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday that 82 cases and seven deaths have been confirmed in the DRC so far. But he said there are almost 750 suspected cases, and 177 suspected deaths.

He said the situation in Uganda is stable, and measures such as intense contact tracing have apparently been effective.

The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which lacks an effective vaccine, has been detected among the patients. The WHO says more time is needed before any clinical trials in humans can go ahead