The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alert level for the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda to a "public health emergency of international concern." The outbreak, which originated in Ituri province in eastern DRC, is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which no vaccine or specific treatment is available.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the first cluster was recorded on April 24 in the densely populated mining area of Mongwalu. As of April 26, 88 deaths and 336 suspected cases have been reported. DRC Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba stated that the first patient was a nurse who presented with Ebola-like symptoms at a health facility in the provincial capital Bunia.
Uganda has recorded two confirmed cases linked to individuals traveling from the DRC, including one death in the capital Kampala.
The WHO emphasized that neighboring countries "are considered at high risk of further spread due to population movements, trade, and travel, as well as ongoing epidemiological uncertainties." However, the organization urged countries not to close borders, as such restrictions may encourage unregulated cross-border activities that are harder to control.
The WHO also warned that "insecurity, humanitarian crisis, large population movements, the urban or semi-urban nature of the current hotspot," combined with attacks by rebel groups such as the ADF and M23 in mineral-rich Ituri province, could complicate disease control efforts.
This is not the first time the DRC has faced Ebola. Since the virus was first identified there in 1976, the country has experienced at least 17 outbreaks. The deadliest occurred between 2018 and 2020, claiming nearly 2,300 lives.
