The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over the rapid expansion of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with increasing case numbers and cross-border transmission to Uganda. WHO’s latest update indicates a very high risk in DRC, high risk in Uganda, and neighboring countries with land borders to affected areas. The rest of Africa and the global region are considered to have a low risk.
As of the latest report, DRC has confirmed 515 cases, including 91 deaths, while Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths and one probable fatal case. All cases in Uganda are linked to the DRC outbreak, showing evidence of both imported infections and secondary transmission among contacts and healthcare workers. Response measures are being implemented by national authorities in collaboration with WHO and partners.
Efforts are underway to combat the outbreak, with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO launching a joint continental Ebola preparedness and response plan. The initiative aims to secure 518 million U.S. dollars to assist African countries in readiness, detection, and response to the outbreak. The current outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a severe and often fatal form of Ebola, believed to originate from fruit bats and transmit through close contact with infected animals or people’s bodily fluids.
