WHO Declares Ebola Emergency in Congo and Uganda

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak a global health emergency.
Cross-border Ebola cases have been confirmed in Congo and Uganda.
Health officials warned that the actual scale of infections may be much larger.

Geneva: The World Health Organization on Sunday declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), citing confirmed cross-border transmission between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

The decision follows mounting fears that the outbreak could rapidly expand across the region due to weak health infrastructure, conflict-related displacement and extensive cross-border movement.

WHO officials warned that the real number of infections and deaths may be significantly higher than currently reported.

WHO Ebola Emergency Triggered by Cross-Border Spread

According to WHO data, eastern Congo’s Ituri province has recorded:

8 confirmed Ebola cases
246 suspected infections
80 suspected deaths

The outbreak has affected multiple health zones including Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.

Uganda also confirmed two Ebola cases in Kampala involving travellers arriving from Congo. One patient has died while both infected individuals required intensive care treatment.

A separate confirmed Ebola case was also detected in Kinshasa involving a traveller returning from Ituri province.

The second-order effect of cross-border transmission could severely strain already fragile healthcare systems in central and eastern Africa while increasing the risk of wider international spread.

Bundibugyo Ebola Strain Raises Global Concern

The outbreak involves the less common Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which differs from the Zaire strain responsible for previous major epidemics.

Although less widespread historically, the Bundibugyo strain can still cause severe haemorrhagic fever with high fatality rates.

WHO noted that there are currently no fully approved vaccines or treatments specifically targeting this strain, increasing concerns over containment challenges.

Health officials also reported:

Suspected hospital-based transmission
Deaths among healthcare workers
Community clusters in conflict-affected areas
Rising cases in regions with limited medical infrastructure
WHO Warns of Regional Instability and Mobility Risks

WHO warned that insecurity in eastern Congo, combined with porous borders and heavy regional movement, could accelerate transmission.

The agency drew parallels with the devastating 2018-19 Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, which killed more than 2,000 people.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said an Emergency Committee would be convened under International Health Regulations to recommend further measures.

The organisation urged Congo and Uganda to immediately:

Expand contact tracing
Increase surveillance
Strengthen hospital infection control
Improve laboratory testing
Deploy rapid response teams

WHO Advises Against Border Closures

Despite the emergency declaration, WHO advised countries not to close borders or impose broad trade restrictions.

Officials warned such actions could worsen the crisis by pushing movement through informal crossings that are harder to monitor.

Instead, the agency recommended:

Enhanced border screening
Travel restrictions for confirmed cases and contacts
Accelerated trials for experimental vaccines and treatments

The outbreak arrives amid growing global concern over emerging infectious diseases, especially in regions affected by conflict, displacement and fragile healthcare systems.

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