The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a 'public health emergency of international concern'. The announcement came on Sunday following at least 88 deaths and over 300 suspected cases linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general, made the declaration before convening an emergency committee. Experts noted the speed of the decision reflected the gravity of the situation. The Bundibugyo virus is one of three strains causing Ebola, but it is the least common and has no approved vaccines or treatments.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced the outbreak on Friday, though the start date remains unclear. Dr Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC director general, expressed alarm, stating: 'Currently, I’m on panic mode because people are dying. I don’t have medicines. I don’t have vaccine to support countries.' He emphasised the need for local manufacturing capacity and warned that Western countries are also at risk due to global travel.
In the DRC's Ituri province, there have been 80 suspected deaths, eight confirmed cases, and 246 suspected cases. Uganda reported two cases, including one death, in Kampala among travellers from the DRC. The WHO noted 'significant uncertainties' about the true scale of the outbreak, but signs point to a potentially much larger spread.
The US CDC has activated its emergency response centre and is coordinating the safe withdrawal of affected Americans. The WHO stressed that conflict in Ituri, with high population movement and crowded living conditions, could facilitate further spread. A laboratory confirmed an additional case on Sunday, underscoring the ongoing risk.
