The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the risk level within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is “very high,” while the regional risk for neighboring countries stands at “high,” due to the rapid spread of the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. According to the organization’s latest update, the total number of confirmed cases across both countries has reached 695, with the death toll rising to 138.
The outbreak is expanding rapidly, particularly in the eastern DRC provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. According to the health agency’s report, 676 confirmed Ebola patients have been recorded in the DRC alone, of whom 136 have lost their lives. The Bunia and Rwampara health zones within Ituri Province—the epicenter of the outbreak—have been identified as areas with widespread transmission.
In neighboring Uganda, 19 confirmed cases and two deaths have been reported so far. All cases are epidemiologically linked to individuals crossing the border from the DRC, or consist of secondary transmission among healthcare workers who had close contact with them. The Ugandan outbreak remains localized within the Kampala and Wakiso districts, and the Ministry of Health has stated that no community transmission has been documented to date.
The WHO elevated its risk assessment due to the complex humanitarian crisis and security challenges prevailing in the outbreak zones of eastern DRC. High population mobility, displacements, and cross-border trade and mining activities have made border health screening exceptionally difficult. Furthermore, security incidents affecting health facilities have disrupted surveillance and control efforts.
Controlling this outbreak is particularly challenging because there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain (BVD). However, the WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and national health authorities are collaborating to roll out candidate therapeutics—such as MBP134 and REGN3479—for use in clinical trials.
The WHO currently advises against any travel or trade restrictions targeting either the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda.
Instead, it has urged neighboring countries to enhance border health screenings, scale up infection prevention and control measures, and work closely with local communities. The organization strongly emphasized that regional nations must deliver a coordinated response to contain the outbreak before it expands to other territories.
