UN declares international state of emergency following ebola outbreak

The World Health Organization on Friday declared an international public health emergency in the wake of West Africa’s Ebola outbreak.

The virus has claimed 932 lives since March, said the United Nation’s public health arm. During a news conference at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Margaret Chan — the organization’s director general — said that this is the largest outbreak in the disease’s 40-year history.

WHO released guidelines to help states identify those affected by the outbreak and prevent the virus from spreading. Recommendations included implementing exit screenings at international airports, training personnel to conduct funeral and burial services and turning to community leaders to educate communities and identify new Ebola cases.