Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda Declared International Health Emergency by WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern,” warning that the situation carries a high risk of cross-border spread to neighbouring countries.
The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease, has not yet reached pandemic status. However, health officials caution that countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo remain highly vulnerable due to ongoing transmission risks.
According to the WHO, 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, and 246 suspected infections have been reported in Ituri Province in eastern DR Congo, particularly across the Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu health zones. The DRC Ministry of Health had earlier confirmed the 80 deaths linked to the outbreak.
The agency warns that the actual number of infections may be higher than reported, citing a high positivity rate among tested samples and a rising number of suspected cases.
WHO describes the situation as “extraordinary,” noting a major challenge: there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo strain, unlike the more widely known Ebola-Zaire strain responsible for previous major outbreaks in the region.
The outbreak has also shown signs of cross-border spread. In Uganda, two laboratory-confirmed cases—including one death—were recorded in the capital, Kampala, involving travellers who had arrived from the DRC. Another confirmed case was also detected in Kinshasa, the DRC capital, linked to a traveller from Ituri Province.
The WHO is urging affected countries to strengthen emergency response systems, enhance cross-border screening, and intensify surveillance along major transport routes.
However, the agency has advised against border closures at this stage, recommending instead that infected individuals and their contacts avoid international travel unless for essential medical evacuation.
