The World Health Organization has declared anEbola outbreakin the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a "public health emergency of international concern".
The WHO said the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, does not meet the criteria of apandemic emergency.
The U.N. health agency said ina statement dated May 17that 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected cases had been reported as of May 16 in DRC's Ituri province across at least three health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.
The DRC health ministry had said on May 15 that 80 people had died in the new outbreak in the eastern province.
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In Uganda's capital, Kampala, two apparently unrelated laboratory-confirmed cases, including one death, were reported on May 15 and May 16, from people traveling from the DRC, the WHO said.
A laboratory-confirmed case was also reported in the DRC capital, Kinshasa, from a person returning from Ituri, the WHO said.
(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:WHO declares Ebola outbreak a global public health emergency