The outbreak began in Ituri province in eastern DRC and involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern” after the virus claimed nearly 90 lives.

The outbreak began in Ituri province in eastern DRC and involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment.

Health officials warned that the outbreak poses a high regional threat after infections were confirmed in Uganda and related cases were detected in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC.

Despite the growing concern, the WHO stopped short of declaring the outbreak a pandemic, saying it does not yet meet the required criteria.

The UN agency also advised countries not to close borders or impose trade restrictions.

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