In regards to the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said today that they are closely monitoring the situation.

With the Ebola death toll rising to 80 and the subsequent risk increase, the World Health Organization (WHO) has deemed it a danger to international health.

An HPA official stated that Maldives is currently working to monitor the situation with the relevant agencies. No further details were provided.

Health experts warn that there is no specialized vaccine for the strain of Ebola that is spreading in the DRC.

According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Saturday, the virus causes the destruction of blood vessels and external bleeding, with 88 people having died. 366 cases of suspected infections have also been reported.

The virus is transmitted from bodily fluids or if the blood of an infected individual makes contact with another person. The virus will not spread unless the symptoms are visible. It can take up to 21 days for symptoms to be visible upon infection.