Ebola outbreak sparking ‘catastrophic collision’ as dire warning sent | World | News

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a dire warning of a “catastrophic crash” as the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) worsens due to regional conflict. The Bundibugyo type of the virus, for which there is no vaccine or treatment yet, has caused the death of 220 people in the country.

More than 900 cases are suspected in the east, primarily in Ituri Province. This part of the country is home to nearly a million displaced people amid fighting between militant groups, some with links to foreign countries or ISIS. WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said eastern Democratic Republic of Congo “currently faces a catastrophic collision of disease and conflict, with the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province outpacing response.”

“Stopping Ebola transmission depends entirely on humanitarian access,” he wrote of

“As frontline workers put everything at risk, attacks on healthcare facilities make tracking cases and their contacts nearly impossible.

“We cannot build public trust or isolate patients while bombs are raining down. We call on all warring parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire to control this epidemic.

“To ensure safe and continuous access for medical teams. We demand that human survival be prioritized above all else.”

Two suspected Ebola cases were detected in Europe earlier this week. Two patients with symptoms such as high fever, nausea and vomiting were hospitalized for treatment.

Suspected cases were reported in northern Italy, and health authorities confirmed that a 31-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman developed symptoms of the virus after returning from Uganda.

As reported by SunIt was stated that the man suspected of carrying the deadly virus was from Bulgarograsso and the woman was from Lurate Caccivo.

They had both recently spent three months working in humanitarian aid in Uganda before returning to Italy.