A rare strain of Ebola virus has likely caused 80 deaths across Congo and Uganda, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency, according to a report by MarketWatch.
The declaration marks a formal escalation in the international response to the outbreak. The WHO reserves public health emergency designations for events that pose a risk to multiple countries and may require a coordinated international response.
The strain involved is described as rare, though specific details about which variant was identified were not immediately available in the organization's initial announcement. Congo has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks over the past several decades, though cross-border spread into Uganda adds a layer of complexity to containment efforts.
The 80 deaths reported across the two countries represent the case toll at the time of the emergency declaration. Health authorities have not yet released a full case count separating confirmed deaths from suspected ones.
The WHO's public health emergency designation typically triggers increased international funding, deployment of health workers, and coordination among member nations on travel and trade measures. A formal emergency committee will advise on recommended responses following the declaration.