The World Health Organization announced that the outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Read the article to know why the declaration aims to strengthen international coordination and response to contain the disease.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “vigorous” mean? “The Director-General of WHO expresses his gratitude to the leadership of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda for their commitment to take necessary and vigorous actions to bring the event under control” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “scale up” mean? “The event requires international coordination and cooperation to understand the extent of the outbreak, to coordinate surveillance, prevention and response efforts, to scale up and strengthen operations and ensure ability to implement control measures.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “convening” mean? “The Director-General of WHO, under the provisions of the IHR, will be convening an Emergency Committee, as soon as possible to advise, inter alia, on the proposed temporary recommendation for States Parties to respond to the event.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you know about Ebola and how it spreads?
- Why do you think the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global health emergency?
- How can countries work together to prevent the spread of infectious diseases?
- Do you think people should be concerned about outbreaks happening in other countries? Why or why not?
- What lessons have we learned from past health emergencies, such as COVID-19, that could help manage Ebola outbreaks?