Ebola Cases in Congo Near 5,800, and WHO Keeps the Global Emergency

As of August 26, Congo had reported 5,794 confirmed cases, including 2,786 deaths, nearly half of all confirmed patients, across 60 health zones, WHO said August 28. The outbreak remains a public health emergency of international concern after WHO's emergency committee met on August 18, and updated recommendations to countries followed on August 24.

WHO declared the outbreak, first confirmed in May, a public health emergency of international concern on May 17. Bundibugyo virus is one of the Ebola viruses; there is no licensed vaccine for it, and it spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of sick people.