WHO declares Ebola outbreak a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’, citing rising cases, cross-border spread and significant uncertainties about the scale of the epidemic.

• The decision, announced by WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus, follows reports of both confirmed and suspected infections linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

• Health authorities had recorded eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths in Ituri Province in eastern Congo.

• Cases have also been confirmed in the capital, Kinshasa, and across the border in Uganda, where two infected individuals travelled from Congo and were admitted to intensive care.

• WHO warned that the outbreak is likely larger than currently detected, pointing to clusters of unexplained deaths, a high positivity rate among tested samples and limited understanding of transmission patterns. 

• At least four deaths among healthcare workers have also raised concerns over infection prevention measures in health facilities. 

• While the situation is serious, it does not currently meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency under the WHO’s International Health Regulations.

• The WHO stressed that the outbreak poses a risk to neighbouring countries due to high population mobility, trade links and ongoing humanitarian challenges in affected regions. 

• Despite the risks, WHO does not recommend restrictions on international travel or trade. 

• Instead, it urged countries to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and community engagement, while ensuring accurate public information.

What is PHEIC?

• A PHEIC is defined in the IHR (2005) as, “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response”. 

This definition implies a situation that is:

i) Serious, sudden, unusual or unexpected.

ii) Carries implications for public health beyond the affected State’s national border. 

iii) May require immediate international action.

• WHO has to consider five elements to decide whether an outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

They are:

1) Information provided by countries — which in this case shows that the virus has spread rapidly to many countries that have not seen it before.

2) The three criteria for declaring a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations — being an extraordinary event, a public health risk to other States and a potential need to require a coordinated international response.

3) The advice of the Emergency Committee — which did not reach a consensus.

4) Scientific principles, evidence and other relevant information – which are currently insufficient.

5) The risk to human health, international spread, and the potential for interference with international traffic.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)