Ebola Virus Spreads to Congolese City

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread from a remote area to a city of 1.2 million, the World Health Organization reported yesterday, after one case was confirmed in the city of Mbandaka. "This is a concerning development, but we now have better tools than ever before to combat Ebola," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “WHO and our partners are taking decisive action to stop further spread of the virus." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others are working with the country’s Ministry of Health and Population to investigate the outbreak, the ninth in the African nation since Ebola was discovered there in 1976. A total of 41 probable or suspected cases and three confirmed cases have been reported since the outbreak was declared on May 8. Meeting today, the 2018 International Health Regulations Emergency Committee for Ebola Virus Disease determined that the event currently does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern. The National Ebola Training and Education Center offers tools and resources to help health care and public health professionals prepare for Ebola emergencies.