The World Health Organisation has declared an Ebola outbreak a global emergency following 88 suspected deaths, with a senior health official saying authorities are in "panic mode" over the escalating crisis.
The WHO's declaration of a "public health emergency of international concern" signals the highest level of international alert and is reserved for the most serious health crises. The designation aims to mobilise global resources and coordinate international efforts to contain the outbreak.
Ebola is a severe viral disease that spreads from wild animals to humans and then through human-to-human transmission. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and unexplained bleeding. Early diagnosis and supportive care significantly improve survival rates.
Whilst the WHO has not specified the outbreak's location, Ebola cases have historically been concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa. The emergency declaration underscores fears the virus could spread beyond currently affected areas, requiring robust public health measures including surveillance, contact tracing and isolation of infected individuals.
International efforts will now focus on strengthening local health systems, providing medical supplies and deploying expert personnel. This marks another PHEIC declaration for Ebola, following previous outbreaks including the devastating West African epidemic of 2014-2016 which killed over 11,000 people. Lessons from past crises emphasise that rapid international cooperation and community engagement are crucial to limiting casualties and preventing global spread.