The World Health Organization on Sunday declared the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern after more than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths were reported.

In a post on X, the WHO clarified that the situation is not being treated as a pandemic emergency like COVID-19 and said there is currently no need to close international borders.

While Congo and Uganda have faced more than 20 Ebola outbreaks in the past, this is only the third reported outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

The WHO said the emergency declaration is aimed at encouraging countries and donor organisations to step up support and respond quickly to the Ebola crisis.