Rare Ebola Outbreak in Congo Spreads Rapidly, WHO Declares Emergency

A rare Ebola variant, Bundibugyo, has caused a major outbreak in eastern Congo, with over 500 cases and 131 deaths. The WHO has declared a public health emergency.

- The virus went undetected for weeks due to initial testing for the wrong strain. - An American doctor is among the confirmed cases.

- No approved vaccines or treatments exist for this strain. - The outbreak is occurring in a region already facing a humanitarian crisis and armed conflict.

Health officials are focusing on public health measures to break the transmission chain, as resources are rushed to affected areas.