The World Health Organization on Thursday rose from a meeting of its Emergency Committee, declaring the Ebola virus outbreak in four West Africa countries an International Public Health Emergency.

At the end of the meeting convened by the organisation’s Director General, and held by teleconference, WHO, said “the possible consequences of further international spread are particularly serious in view of the virulence of the virus, the intensive community and health facility transmission patterns, and the weak health systems in the currently affected and most at-risk countries”.

It said the outbreak “constitutes an “extraordinary event’ and a public health risk to other States.”
A coordinated international response is therefore essential to stop and reverse the international spread of the disease, the world health body said.
“It was the unanimous view of the Committee that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have been met,” the statement issued at the end of the meeting said.
The organization however said the outbreak does not yet necessitate international travel or trade bans.

The current Ebola outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013. The disease has now spread to Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
As of 4 August 2014, countries have reported 1 711 cases (1 070 confirmed, 436 probable, 205 suspect), including 932 deaths in what represents the largest EVD outbreak ever recorded, WHO said.
In response to the outbreak, a number of unaffected countries have made a range of travel related advice or recommendations.

WHO adopted a regulation permitting it to declare International Public Health Emergency in 2007.
Its declaration over Ebola is only the third of its kind since the regulation was adopted.
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