The Hong Kong SAR government activated the “Alert” response level under the Preparedness and Response Plan for Ebola Virus Disease on May 17. The Centre for Health Protection under the Department of Health stepped up health screening at the airport for passengers arriving on flights from Africa. Photo: Hong Kong Information Services Department
The World Health Organization declared a rare Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” on May 17, prompting Hong Kong to elevate its alert level.
Triggered by the uncommon Bundibugyo ebolavirus, the outbreak has rapidly escalated, according to the WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. As of May 16, officials in eastern Congo’s Ituri province reported eight confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths. The Congolese capital of Kinshasa identified one confirmed case in a traveler returning from Ituri. Neighboring Uganda recorded two confirmed cases imported from Congo within a 24-hour window, including one death.
You’ve accessed an article available only to subscribers
VIEW OPTIONS