WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda ‘emergency’ of international concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern.” The outbreak has resulted in at least 80 deaths and 246 suspected cases in the DRC’s Ituri province, with confirmed cases also reported in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, and the DRC capital, Kinshasa. The spread of the virus has raised alarm in neighboring countries, prompting intensified screening and contact tracing efforts to contain the disease. The outbreak began in the Mongwalu health zone, a busy mining area in eastern Congo, before spreading to the Rwampara and Bunia health zones. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has warned of active community transmission, particularly in Mongwalu, complicating containment efforts. The region’s ongoing insecurity, including attacks by Islamic State-backed militants, has further hindered surveillance and rapid response operations. Local residents in Bunia have expressed fear and distress as daily deaths and burials continue amid uncertainty about the disease. Ebola is a highly contagious virus transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, vomit, and semen. While rare, it causes severe and often fatal illness. The DRC has faced multiple Ebola outbreaks in the past and has developed experience in managing the disease. However, the current outbreak’s spread to urban centers and across borders underscores the challenges of controlling the virus in conflict-affected and high-mobility areas. The WHO’s emergency declaration aims to mobilize international support and resources to prevent further spread and protect vulnerable populations in the region.