The World Health Organization has stated that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo does not currently constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The WHO expressed confidence that the outbreak can be controlled, despite at least 45 infections and 25 suspected deaths.
Cases have emerged in rural areas and have now reached Mbandaka, a city of about one million people on the River Congo. This raises concerns about potential spread to the capital Kinshasa and neighbouring countries. The WHO has identified over 500 people who may have had contact with Ebola patients and will be monitored and prioritised for vaccination.
An experimental vaccine from Merck, effective in limited trials, has arrived in Kinshasa. However, storage at extremely low temperatures poses a challenge due to unreliable electricity supplies. Health authorities have implemented measures such as hand-washing stations and fever screening at river ports, though shortages of thermometers have caused crowding.
The WHO stressed that no international travel or trade restrictions should be imposed. This response follows criticism of the WHO's slow reaction to the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, which killed over 11,000 people.
