What is Ebola? Should Australians be worried after the WHO declared a public health emergency?
The World Health Organisation has declared a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ amid an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has now spread across borders.
There are growing concerns about international spread of the deadly Ebola virus, which can have fatality rates of up to 90 per cent, after an outbreak in central Africa.
On Sunday, the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo “a public health emergency of international concern”.
Cases have now been laboratory confirmed in neighbouring Uganda and concerns for a geographic spread of the disease continue to grow.
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As of Saturday, there were about 250 suspected cases, eight confirmed cases, and 80 suspected deaths in the Ituri Province of DRC, and a further two confirmed cases and one death in Uganda.
However, the WHO said limited understanding of the spread of the disease left “significant uncertainties” when it came to knowing the exact number of cases and how far it is spread.
“(Evidence) point(s) towards a potentially much larger outbreak than what is currently being detected and reported, with significant local and regional risk of spread,” a spokesperson said.
The strain of Ebola spreading is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which the WHO said made the outbreak “extraordinary”.
There are no approved vaccines or treatments for this particular strain.
This is the 17th outbreak in DRC since the disease was first discovered there in 1976.
In the past 50 years, about 15,000 people have died from Ebola in Africa, with the most deadly outbreak hitting western Africa between 2014 and 2016.
What is Ebola?
Ebola is a rare and often fatal illness spread by contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person or animal.
Scientists believe the disease originated in African fruit bats.
Symptoms of Ebola include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Muscle and joint aches
- Headaches
- Sore throat
Often, these can be followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and rashes.
Some patients may also experience internal or external bleeding which leads to multi-organ failure.
The period between exposure and experiencing symptoms can range from two to 21 days.
There are four types of Ebola which have been found in humans, and treatment has been developed for one of those.
The fatality rate can be as high as 80 to 90 per cent of cases, with the average about 50 per cent.
Those who recover from the disease often experience long-term health problems.
Could Ebola reach Australia?
Environment Minister Murray Watt said Australia would cooperate after the WHO urged for an international response to the outbreak.
“I’m sure that our health officials will be working with other countries in terms of the response to this,” he told RN Breakfast on Monday morning.
“You know, I think we’ve seen previously around the world outbreaks of Ebola have been of great concern to the world.
“So as I say, I’m sure that some of our officials in the health department would be working with their international counterparts about this as well.”
According to the Centre for Disease Control in Australia, there has never been a case of Ebola diagnosed in Australia.
“Just one diagnosis in Australia would trigger an urgent public health response,” the CDC said.
For now, the WHO said only countries sharing land borders with DRC and Congo need to “urgently enhance their preparedness and readiness capacity”.
Other countries, including Australia, were told not to “close its borders or place any restrictions on travel and trade” at this time, but be prepared to repatriate any exposed individuals.
No airport screening is required for those travelling from the affected areas.
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa commended the response of the affected countries but warned that there could be ramifications elsewhere in Africa if the outbreak is not properly maintained.
“Ebola does not respect borders. In a region marked by high population mobility, insecurity and humanitarian movement, the risk of regional spread is significant and demands urgent, coordinated action,” he said in a statement.
“I therefore urge affected and at-risk countries to intensify cross-border collaboration, strengthen surveillance at formal and informal points of entry, and ensure rapid information sharing, particularly in areas affected by insecurity and population displacement.”
