KAMPALA, Uganda — The World Health Organization (WHO) says the Ebola outbreak affecting parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda has surpassed 900 suspected cases and more than 200 suspected deaths, as health authorities intensify containment efforts against the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in eastern Africa.
WHO in a statement on Friday said that there are 906 suspected cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including 223 suspected deaths that are being investigated.
The global health body says the outbreak remains largely concentrated in eastern DRC, particularly in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, where insecurity, population displacement, and limited access to healthcare continue to slow response operations.
There have been 125 confirmed cases of Ebola in the DRC, including 17 confirmed deaths in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. There have also been seven confirmed cases of Ebola in Uganda, three of which were imported from the DRC, and one death. However, no community transmission has been reported, the WHO said.
WHO, however, confirms that there is currently no evidence of sustained community transmission in Uganda, where authorities have reinforced surveillance systems, border screening, and contact tracing in high-risk districts along the porous frontier with the DRC.
Eastern DRC remains epicentre of outbreak
Health officials say most suspected infections and deaths have been recorded in eastern DRC, where repeated Ebola outbreaks have exposed persistent weaknesses in surveillance and emergency response capacity.
Response teams are operating in difficult conditions, with ongoing insecurity and armed conflict in some areas limiting access to affected communities. This has contributed to delayed case detection and challenges in isolating patients early.
Humanitarian agencies say the situation is further complicated by population movement across internal and cross-border routes, increasing the risk of undetected transmission chains.
Uganda maintains containment posture
In Uganda, the Ministry of Health says imported cases linked to movement from the DRC have been identified and managed through isolation protocols, with no confirmed local transmission reported.
Health authorities have stepped up screening at key border points, particularly in western districts that experience frequent movement linked to trade, family ties, and informal crossings.
Surveillance systems in health facilities have also been strengthened, with rapid response teams deployed to support early detection of suspected cases.
WHO has warned that despite Uganda’s current containment status, the risk of cross-border spread remains significant due to continued population movement between the two countries.
Bundibugyo strain raises concern
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease, first identified in Uganda in 2007.
The strain is known to cause severe haemorrhagic illness, with symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, intense weakness, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
Previous outbreaks of the strain have recorded fatality rates ranging between 25 percent and 50 percent, depending on response speed and access to treatment.
Unlike some other Ebola variants, there is currently no widely approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, making rapid detection, isolation, and supportive clinical care critical in reducing deaths.
WHO calls for stronger regional response
The WHO has urged affected countries to strengthen emergency preparedness and response systems, including expanded community awareness campaigns, safe burial practices, and increased laboratory testing capacity.
The agency also called for sustained international support to help contain the outbreak before it spreads further across borders in the Great Lakes region.
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Public health experts warn that a combination of insecurity, weak health infrastructure in remote areas, and high population mobility could accelerate transmission if containment measures are not maintained.
Regional coordination under pressure
Authorities in both Uganda and the DRC continue to coordinate response operations, with emergency teams deployed to affected districts and cross-border surveillance mechanisms reinforced.
Health officials have urged the public to remain calm but vigilant, advising anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola to seek immediate medical attention and avoid physical contact with others.
The outbreak remains under close international monitoring as contact tracing, testing, and isolation efforts continue in an attempt to break transmission chains and prevent wider regional spread.
