WHO Declares International Health Emergency as Ebola Spreads in Congo and Uganda

The WHO warned that all ten neighboring countries, including Uganda and South Sudan, are at high risk and must prepare for potential cases. The affected Ituri province borders Uganda and faces ongoing security challenges, humanitarian crises, and frequent population movements, complicating containment efforts.

Lower Mortality but No Approved Vaccine

The Bundibugyo strain has a mortality rate of approximately 37%, significantly lower than the Zaire variant, which killed over 11,000 people in West Africa between 2014 and 2015. However, there is no approved vaccine for this strain, heightening concerns about containment.

This is only the third recorded outbreak of the Bundibugyo variant—previous instances occurred in Uganda in 2007 (37 deaths) and the DRC in 2012 (29 deaths). The current outbreak marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC since 1976, with the most recent in Kasaï province claiming 45 lives between September and December 2025.

WHO Urges Caution Against Travel Restrictions

While declaring the emergency, the WHO clarified that this is not a pandemic alert but emphasized the need for vigilance. The organization urged the DRC and Uganda to prevent infected individuals and their contacts from traveling to other countries.

At the same time, the WHO cautioned against imposing travel restrictions or closing borders, warning that such measures could drive people to use unofficial crossings, increasing the risk of uncontrolled spread. Rwanda has already closed its border with the DRC, a move contrary to WHO recommendations.

Humanitarian and Medical Challenges

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) described the situation as "besorgniserregend" (concerning) and is mobilizing a large-scale response, including medical teams and supplies. Access to healthcare in the region remains difficult due to security instability and logistical hurdles.

The WHO called on affected countries to break infection chains and neighboring nations to enhance surveillance. Africa CDC reported 336 suspected cases and 88 deaths in the DRC, though discrepancies in figures suggest underreporting. The WHO aims to mobilize international support to curb further spread.