The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is severe and WHO declares it a public health emergency of international concern

The Ebola virus outbreak has recently erupted again in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of the 16th of this month, more than 80 people have died and 246 people are suspected of being diagnosed. Two people have been diagnosed in neighboring Uganda. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the epidemic has constituted a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" (PHEIC). Experts analyzed that it is mainly due to factors such as late detection of the epidemic, and the virus is mainly spread through contact with the body fluids of infected people, and is not airborne.

The Taiwan Science and Technology Media Center invited Taiwanese experts to analyze the Ebola epidemic. Andrei R., associate professor at the School of Public Health at National Taiwan University. Akhmetzhanov said that there are 6 known types of Ebola virus, and this epidemic is caused by the "Bundibugyo type", which in the past caused 131 confirmed cases and 42 deaths in Uganda in 2007 (roughly (fatality rate: 32%), and in 2012, there were 62 confirmed cases and 34 deaths (crude fatality rate: 54%) in Democratic Congo; now the epidemic has reported 246 suspected cases and more than 80 deaths (current crude fatality rate: 33%), 10 of which were laboratory confirmed.

In response to the WHO's announcement of this Ebola epidemic as PHEIC, Wu Yake analyzed that it was calling for the international community to pay urgent attention to the matter, because this epidemic was detected late (the index case appeared at the end of April, but the test was negative at the time), and there were 4 deaths of medical staff, coupled with unsafe funeral practices in the community (direct contact with remains), and cross-regional and transnational transmission.

Wu Yake said that Taiwan has not experienced any Ebola epidemic in the past, and the risk of its introduction into Taiwan has been assessed as extremely low, but not zero. The main risk is through tourism, and border control measures have been strengthened. The virus is mainly transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person, and there is no airborne transmission. Transmission only occurs after the symptoms appear, and the risk is higher after the so-called "wet symptoms" (symptoms involving body fluids, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding) appear. The incubation period of the virus ranges from 2 to 21 days, with an average of about 6 to 7 days. The natural host of the virus is still unknown, but bats may be its reservoir.

As for prevention, Wu Yake suggested that when people travel to epidemic areas, they should avoid contact with suspected cases and try to avoid going to current epidemic hot spots. If it cannot be avoided, you should monitor your health after returning to your country and seek medical treatment if symptoms occur. In general, it is recommended to follow good hygiene practices. It was also mentioned that at the international level, the risk of large-scale proliferation is assessed as low.