Australian CDC issues update in wake of Ebola outbreak

On 17 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus — a type of Ebola virus — in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda to be a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations. This was followed by a 19 May update by the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) on risk to Australia.

The Australian CDC said risk to Australia is “low”, noting that:

• the outbreak is geographically concentrated in eastern DRC, but occurring in a complex epidemiological and humanitarian context;
• the likelihood of casual importation is reduced by the fact that transmission most often occurs through contact with infected body fluids or items contaminated with infected body fluids; and
• a multi-agency effort — including surveillance, contact tracing and deployment of personnel — is being coordinated by the WHO to respond in affected areas.
   

“Nobody has ever been diagnosed with Ebola disease in Australia,” the Australian CDC said in its 19 May update. “Australia has strong border health measures to screen for people who may be symptomatic with very serious communicable diseases like Ebola disease.”

To monitor the situation, the Australian CDC said it is working closely with the WHO and other Australian Government agencies and will continue to provide updates as circumstances change.

You can find the Australian CDC’s latest situation update here.

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