The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in central Africa a “public health emergency of international concern” after dozens of deaths and hundreds of suspected cases were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring Uganda.

Health officials said at least 88 deaths and more than 300 suspected infections have been linked to the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the emergency declaration on Sunday, citing concerns that the outbreak may be spreading faster than currently known.

The outbreak is centered in eastern Congo’s Ituri province, where officials reported 80 suspected deaths and more than 240 suspected cases. Uganda has confirmed additional cases, including one death in the capital city of Kampala involving travelers from Congo.

The Bundibugyo strain is one of the least common forms of Ebola, and officials warned there are currently no approved vaccines, treatments or specialized tests for the virus.

Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director General Jean Kaseya said he was in “panic mode” because of the lack of medical tools available to stop the outbreak. Officials are now working with pharmaceutical companies to explore possible experimental vaccines and treatments.

The WHO warned that conflict in eastern Congo, crowded living conditions, and cross-border travel could accelerate the spread of the disease. Another confirmed Ebola case was reported Sunday in the Congolese city of Goma.

Ebola spreads through bodily fluids and carries a high fatality rate, especially in regions with limited medical resources. The WHO said the emergency declaration is intended to mobilize international support, resources, and medical expertise to contain the outbreak before it spreads further.

Source: The Guardian