Congo’s Ebola outbreak has most cases in first month of any African outbreak, WHO says

📌 Summary:

• A senior World Health Organisation (WHO) official said Congo's current Ebola outbreak has the largest number of confirmed cases in the first month of any Ebola outbreak in Africa
• The Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has infected over 1,000 people and killed 267
• It was detected late and is believed to have circulated for months before being officially declared on May 15
• WHO said the response is beginning to expand to keep pace with the growing outbreak
• For comparison: West Africa's 2014–2016 outbreak (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia) killed 11,000; Congo had a less fatal 2018 outbreak
• Ebola cases have reached at least three crowded displacement camps in eastern Congo; the IOM confirmed at least 25 cases there, including 14 deaths

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3/GS2 — global public health, epidemic preparedness, role of WHO and IOM in outbreak response

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal viral haemorrhagic fever; 'Bundibugyo' is a species/strain of ebolavirus
• WHO is the UN specialised agency for international public health
• IOM = International Organisation for Migration

🔑 Key Term: Ebola Virus Disease — a zoonotic viral haemorrhagic fever spread through contact with bodily fluids; high case-fatality and outbreak potential in regions with weak health systems