00:00The World Health Organization has declared the latest Ebola outbreak in Central Africa
00:05to be an international public health emergency.
00:08Well, cases have been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo
00:12and also in neighboring Uganda.
00:14Officials say the outbreak is spreading rapidly.
00:17But what is Ebola?
00:19Well, it is a severe and often deadly virus,
00:22and it's spread through direct contact with bodily fluids,
00:26contaminated materials, or infected bodies.
00:28Well, more than 500 suspected cases and over 130 suspected deaths have been reported.
00:36Well, this outbreak involves the Bundibugio strain of Ebola,
00:40for which there is no approved vaccine or targeted treatment.
00:45Well, early symptoms can resemble malaria or flu,
00:48and that makes detection more complicated.
00:51Symptoms start generic.
00:53They start as fever, maybe muscle aches, you don't feel well.
00:56So, especially in parts of the world where there's lots of malaria or other diseases,
01:01it can be confused with lots of things.
01:03Well, Ebola spreads through close physical contact, but it is not airborne.
01:08Health officials say that rapid testing, isolation, contact tracing,
01:12and protective gear are all key to stopping transmission.
01:17Well, the World Health Organization has, though, sounded the alarm.
01:21I'm deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic.
01:26Well, the outbreak does not currently meet the criteria for a pandemic,
01:30and the global risk remains relatively low.
01:33But the threat of regional spread is significant.
01:36Tell us, are you concerned?
01:38Are you in an affected area?
01:40Tell us what you think in the comments section down below.
01:43We'll see you anytime soon.
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