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The Ebola outbreak in the DRC - which began in August - continues to spread, and the World Health Organization raised their risk assessment to both national and regional public health to VERY HIGH due to `. . . recent increases in insecurity, incidents of community reluctance and geographical spread.'
Today the WHO has announced they will convene an emergency session on Wednesday of their IHR Emergency Committee to determine if this outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency Of International Concern (PHEIC) - and if so, what measures to recommend.The following is from a media advisory emailed out earlier today by the WHO.
WHO Media advisory
October 15, 2018
International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has convened an Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Committee will meet on 17 October in Geneva to ascertain whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, and what recommendations should be made to manage the outbreak.
The Committee’s advice will be made public on WHO’s website and via a press conference (details below).
Background on the outbreak
On 1 August 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in North Kivu Province. This is the tenth outbreak of Ebola virus disease over the last four decades in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the most recent occurring in May 2018.
Ministry of Health, WHO and partners have teams on the ground responding to the outbreak.
WHO risks assessment
On 28 September 2018, based on the worsening security situation, WHO revised its risk assessment for the outbreak, elevating the risk at national and regional levels from high to very high. The risk remains low globally. WHO continues to advise against any restriction of travel to, and trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on currently available information.
Based on the current situation and information available, the WHO Director-General has convened an Emergency Committee under the IHR (2005) to provide advice on whether the current outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, and what recommendations should be made to manage the outbreak.
WHEN: Wednesday 17 October 2018, at 19:00 GENEVA time
WHAT: Virtual Press Conference for journalists. An audio file of the press conference will be distributed to journalists shortly after the conference ends. A transcript will follow.
WHERE: Geneva-based, UN-accredited journalists can attend the press conference in-person at the Library room at WHO or dial in.
