Viet Nam strengthens surveillance as Ebola disease constitutes public health emergency in DPC, Uganda
VGP - Viet Nam has strengthened Ebola surveillance at healthcare facilities and border gates following the WHO's declaration of public health emergency of international concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The Ministry of Health on Sunday encouraged citizens to remain calm and follow official instructions from its website and the WHO; avoid direct contact with suspected cases.
People with travel record to areas affected by Ebola should monitor their health for 21 days, said the ministry.
Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, or diarrhea after returning from Ebola outbreak areas should immediately visit healthcare facilities for further instructions and treatment.
Though Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), but does not meet the criteria of pandemic emergency, said the WHO.
As of 16 May 2026, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths have been reported in Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo across at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.
In addition, two laboratory confirmed cases (including one death) with no apparent link to each other have been reported in Kampala, Uganda, within 24 hours of each other, on May 15-16, among two individuals travelling from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral disease first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the DRC. The virus is believed to originate in wild animals, particularly bats, before spreading to humans./.
