This past week, Virus Watcher recorded 326 surveillance posts with no system alerts triggered. The top diseases of concern were COVID-19, measles, imported measles, hantavirus, and diphtheria. A significant development is the escalating diphtheria outbreak in Australia, now described as the biggest in decades and spreading across multiple states.
In parallel, the World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri province a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This declaration signifies the highest level of global alert, with the outbreak reaching over 513 suspected cases and 131 deaths across nine health zones as of May 18th.
Further concerns surrounding Ebola include a confirmed case in South Kivu province, an area controlled by the M23 militia. Reports also indicate that at least six Americans have been exposed to the virus in the DRC, with one showing symptoms, prompting consideration for evacuation. The situation in the DRC is further complicated by community mistrust, as evidenced by an attack on a treatment facility.
Commentary from former CDC director Robert Redfield warns of Ebola's potential to become the source of the next global pandemic, predicting its expansion to additional nations.
The week's top stories
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Australia's Biggest Diphtheria Outbreak in Decades Spreads Across States Australia is experiencing its largest diphtheria outbreak in decades, with the infection now confirmed in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
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WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in DRC a Global Health Emergency The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC's Ituri province a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, highlighting its severe global threat.
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First Ebola Case Confirmed in Eastern DRC's South Kivu Province A first Ebola case has been confirmed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province, in an area under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 militia.
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Residents Attack Ebola Treatment Facility in Eastern DRC Amid Mistrust Residents in a town central to an Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC set fire to a treatment facility due to deep mistrust and anger surrounding the virus response.
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Former CDC Director Warns Ebola Could Be Next Global Pandemic Former CDC director Robert Redfield has warned that Ebola could become the source of the world's next major pandemic if current outbreaks are not contained.
This week by the numbers: 326 surveillance items processed, 5 diseases active.
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