At least 100 deaths have been reported in an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with more than 390 cases suspected, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has told the BBC.
Jean Kaseya warned that with no approved drugs or vaccines, people should follow public health measures, including at funerals of Ebola victims.
There are also two confirmed cases and one death in Uganda, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of the current strain of Ebola, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, an international emergency.
An American doctor in DR Congo is among those with a confirmed case, and he will be taken to Germany for treatment. CBS News reported that at least six Americans have been exposed to the Ebola virus during the outbreak.
The CDC is assisting in the safe withdrawal of a small number of Americans directly affected by the outbreak, although the exact number remains undisclosed. They have issued a Level Four travel advisory, the most severe warning, against travel to the DR Congo.
In responding to the outbreak, the CDC plans to monitor travelers from affected areas and implement measures to prevent the disease from entering the US.
The WHO has classified the outbreak in the Ituri province of DR Congo as a public health emergency of international concern, stressing that it could potentially lead to a considerable risk of local and regional spread.
Health officials have urged the implementation of public health measures during funerals, as previous outbreaks have witnessed transmissions linked to community funeral practices. Neighboring countries, including Rwanda and Nigeria, are monitoring and enhancing their preparedness against potential outbreaks.
