The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 906 suspected Ebola cases and 223 suspected deaths linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in an ongoing outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
WHO says that despite the growing number of suspected infections, Uganda is not currently experiencing community transmission, with all detected cases so far linked to cross-border movement and being contained under strict public health protocols.
The outbreak is largely concentrated in eastern DRC, where health authorities have struggled to contain transmission due to insecurity, population displacement, and limited access to remote and hard-to-reach areas. The provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu remain the most affected.
Health officials say delays in case detection and weak surveillance systems in some regions may have contributed to undetected spread in the early stages of the outbreak. Emergency response teams are now working to strengthen active surveillance, contact tracing, and rapid isolation of suspected cases.
In Uganda, the Ministry of Health has increased screening and surveillance at all major border points with the DRC, particularly in western districts that experience high cross-border movement for trade and daily activities.
Authorities say all confirmed cases in Uganda have been isolated and managed in designated treatment facilities, with no evidence of sustained transmission within communities. Public health teams continue to monitor contacts of confirmed patients.
WHO has warned that the risk of further regional spread remains elevated due to frequent movement across porous borders between Uganda and the DRC. The agency has urged continued vigilance and coordination among affected countries.
The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, first identified in Uganda in 2007, causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever with symptoms including sudden onset of fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, and in severe cases, bleeding. Past outbreaks of the strain have recorded fatality rates ranging between 25% and 50%, depending on the speed of response and availability of care.
Unlike other Ebola variants, there is currently no widely licensed vaccine specifically approved for the Bundibugyo strain, making early detection, isolation, infection prevention, and supportive treatment the primary tools for control.
WHO has called for increased funding and logistical support to strengthen response operations, including laboratory capacity, treatment centres, and community outreach programs in affected regions. The organisation says rapid containment is still possible if efforts are sustained.
Public health experts warn that ongoing insecurity in eastern DRC continues to hinder access for health workers, leaving gaps in surveillance and increasing the risk of hidden transmission chains.
Uganda and DRC have intensified cross-border coordination efforts, with joint surveillance teams working to track suspected cases and monitor population movement between the two countries.
Health authorities are urging the public to report symptoms early and avoid contact with suspected cases. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, and extreme fatigue.
The outbreak remains under close international observation as response teams continue efforts to contain transmission and prevent wider regional spread.
