The World Health Organization has declared an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola a public health emergency of international concern. This rare type of the virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment, has so far led to 160 suspected deaths.
Suspected cases have been reported in a rebel-held part of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province. This region is located hundreds of kilometres away from the outbreak's epicentre.
Healthcare workers in eastern Congo say they are underprotected and undertrained as the rare Ebola virus spreads rapidly in one of the world's most remote and vulnerable places.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the risk level remains low worldwide, but there is a high risk that the disease will continue to gain ground in Central Africa.