Vietnam steps up Ebola monitoring following WHO emergency declaration

The declaration by WHO serves as an important public health alert for countries to strengthen surveillance, early detection, and preparedness measures, but it does not mean the outbreak has spread globally.

According to an announcement released on Sunday, WHO determined that the outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus in DRC and Uganda ‘constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, but does not meet the criteria of pandemic emergency.’

As of Saturday, DRC had recorded eight laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases, 246 suspected infections, and 80 suspected deaths linked to the outbreak in Ituri Province.

Uganda has reported two confirmed cases, including one death in Kampala, both of whom had traveled from DRC.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that Ebola has a very high fatality rate, averaging around 50 percent depending on the strain, underscoring concerns over the ongoing outbreak.

The health ministry’s Department of Disease Prevention said it is closely monitoring developments related to the outbreak and regularly updating information from WHO and agencies responsible for implementing the International Health Regulations.

The department has also stepped up disease surveillance at medical facilities and strengthened health quarantine measures at border gates to prevent possible imported infections.

It advised the public to remain calm and follow official updates from Vietnamese health authorities and WHO.

Ebola is a severe infectious disease that spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals or people who have died from Ebola, as well as through contaminated objects and surfaces.

Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rash, while some patients may also develop bleeding.

The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.

People are advised to avoid direct contact with people suspected of having Ebola, their blood or bodily fluids, and contaminated belongings.

Those returning from outbreak-affected areas are advised to self-monitor their health for 21 days.

The ministry said anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding after returning from affected regions should seek immediate medical attention and provide their travel and contact history for timely support.

The agency added that it will continue to update the public and adjust prevention and control measures in line with developments in the outbreak.