The risk of the global spread of the infectious disease Ebola remains low, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus assured on Wednesday after the first case of Ebola infection was confirmed in France. As AFP reported, France reported a confirmed case of Ebola on Wednesday. The infected person is a doctor who arrived from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which is struggling with a large-scale Ebola epidemic.
This is the first ever case of fatal hemorrhagic fever identified outside the African continent during the current epidemic, which has also affected Uganda. Tedros said there was “no reason to panic” about the French case. He continues to insist that “the risk to the rest of the world is low.” He also pointed out that while thousands of Ebola cases have been detected in Africa over the past half century, fewer than 30 cases have been detected outside of Africa during the same period.
However, according to Tedros, the case from France serves as a reminder of the risks faced by people standing on the front lines during epidemics. “Nearly 80 healthcare workers have been infected, highlighting the risks they face and the importance of strengthening infection prevention and control.” stressed Tedros. The case confirmed on Wednesday involves a doctor who worked with the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), the NGO said.
The 17th consecutive Ebola outbreak in the DRC was declared on May 15 after several unexplained deaths in Ituri province in the east of the country. According to the latest official figures, there have been more than 1,000 cases, including 267 deaths, representing a fatality rate of about 25 percent. This Ebola outbreak is caused by a rare strain of the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Current Ebola vaccines are only effective against the Zaire strain that caused previous major outbreaks. WHO has therefore declared a public health emergency of international concern.
