Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda declared a global health emergency
The Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo and Uganda, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has been declared a global health emergency by the WHO. Congo has reported more than 380 confirmed cases and 64 deaths, while Uganda has reported 19 cases. The strain has no approved vaccine or tre
The Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo and Uganda is now a WHO-declared global health emergency, and a CDC report warns it could rival the worst outbreak on record. It is caused by the Bundibugyo species, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment, though candidates are being tested. As of early June, Congo reported more than 380 confirmed cases and 64 deaths, with Uganda reporting 19 cases; Ituri province is the hardest hit and thousands of contacts are under monitoring. New CDC modeling shows that with only one in five patients isolated there is a 65% chance the outbreak passes 20,000 cases in three months, while 70% isolation sharply reduces that risk. Africa CDC and the WHO have launched a joint response plan seeking US$518 million.