There is an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. People are also sick in the neighboring country Uganda. The World-Health-Organization (WHO) has declared an international alert.
Neighboring countries must be very careful now. The world must help fight the disease together. This is not a warning for a pandemic. Experts found 8 confirmed cases in Congo.
There are 246 more suspected cases there. 80 people have likely died from Ebola. One case occurred in the large city Kinshasa. One person also died in Uganda.
The virus is of the Bundibugyo type. There is no vaccine for this type yet. But it is less deadly than other types. About 37 out of 100 sick people die from it.
The Ituri region in the north-east of Congo is affected. There is often fighting and much violence there. Many people travel across the borders there. This makes the help for doctors difficult.
Ebola is a very dangerous disease. People get high fever and muscle pain. The virus spreads through body fluids. Helpers from Doctors Without Borders are now in action.
