The Executive Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has said Uganda is currently the only country with confirmed Ebola cases outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), adding that Nigeria’s risk level remains low.
Dr. Ihekweazu explained that the ongoing Ebola outbreak is serious and requires an internationally coordinated response, noting that it has already crossed borders and spread beyond its initial location.
He disclosed that there are over 300 confirmed cases currently spread across the DRC, describing the situation as a significant public health concern.
According to him, this marks only the ninth time in history that an outbreak has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), stressing that the Ebola outbreak meets the criteria due to its severity and cross-border spread.
He further noted that this is the third time Ebola has triggered such a declaration, underscoring the recurring global threat posed by the virus.
Dr. Ihekweazu emphasized the importance of sustained international collaboration to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread to additional countries.
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