The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern following an outbreak of a rare strain of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of Monday, the United Nations reports that the outbreak has grown to nearly 500 suspected cases and 116 deaths, though other health officials indicate at least 118 people have died.
Ebola is recognized as one of the deadliest diseases on earth, with a fatality rate that can reach as high as 90 percent. Because of this extreme danger, governments often view the illness as a threat to national security.
While the Democratic Republic of Congo has previous experience tackling Ebola, health experts have been alarmed by the late detection and the rapid spread of this current outbreak.