On April 15, the WHO officially declared the outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain in the DRC and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern.” This rare strain differs from the Zaire strain that caused the 2013–2016 West African epidemic, which killed at least 11,000 people.
According to DRC Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba, as of April 15, the Bundibugyo strain had caused 131 deaths out of 513 suspected cases. In the past 24 hours, 26 new suspected cases were recorded. In Uganda, the WHO confirmed at least one death and two infections, while more than 120 people are under quarantine.
Professor Krutika Kuppalli of UT Southwestern Medical School in Texas explained that the Bundibugyo strain has a 30–50% fatality rate in previous outbreaks, but no specific vaccine or drug has been licensed. “Current standard diagnostic tests are primarily optimized for the Zaire strain and do not reliably detect Bundibugyo,” she warned.
Merck’s Ervebo vaccine, used for the Zaire strain, has shown partial protection in animal experiments against Bundibugyo. However, Professor Kuppalli noted that developing a new vaccine requires time—from candidate design and clinical trials to production and approval. Organizations such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) have invested in research into multivalent filovirus vaccines to protect against multiple Ebola strains.
WHO representative in Ituri, DRC, Anne Ancia, reported that 12 tons of medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, have been sent to the outbreak zone. Virologist Jean-Jacques Muyembe of the DRC National Institute of Biomedical Research also announced that the country is set to receive a batch of experimental vaccines from the US and UK.
Globally, many countries have implemented border controls. Bahrain suspended entry for travelers from South Sudan, the DRC, and Uganda for 30 days. Rwanda closed its border with the DRC. The US imposed a 30-day temporary entry ban on non-citizens and non-residents who had visited those three countries within the previous 21 days. Several Asian countries also stepped up health screenings at ports of entry.
Professor Kuppalli drew a comparison: “The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines was unprecedented because the pandemic affected wealthy countries and the global economy. Outbreaks in Africa often do not generate the same urgency, funding, or political attention, even though they cause devastating local consequences.” She stressed the need for sustained investment in epidemic preparedness and vaccine research—not just for Africa, but for global health security.
