๐จ WHO sounds alarm over rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in Central Africa
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says he is โdeeply concernedโ about the โscale and speedโ of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as cases continue rising across the region.
The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has now been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO.
Latest reported figures include:
โข More than 300 suspected Ebola cases in eastern DRC
โข Over 100 suspected deaths reported across affected areas
โข Confirmed cross-border infections in Uganda
โข Healthcare workers among those infected
โข No approved vaccine or specific treatment currently available for the Bundibugyo strain
Health officials say the outbreak is spreading rapidly in conflict-affected regions of Ituri province, where insecurity, weak healthcare systems, and population movement are making containment efforts difficult.
The WHO, CDC, and international aid organizations are deploying emergency response teams, treatment centers, contact tracing operations, and border screening measures to prevent wider international spread.
The United States has also introduced enhanced travel screening and temporary restrictions for travelers arriving from affected regions after an American healthcare worker tested positive while working in the DRC.
Experts warn the situation remains highly dangerous because the Bundibugyo Ebola strain is far less understood than previous Ebola variants and currently has no licensed vaccine.
