The Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has reached 600 cases, with 139 deaths suspected. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that this deadly outbreak likely began two months ago and is expected to continue growing.
European officials emphasize a low risk of European outbreaks, but experts are alarmed by the rare Bundibugyo strain’s spread across densely populated areas, making it difficult to trace and isolate contacts. WHO warns numbers could rise further as investigations into the outbreak’s origin progress.
Congo has faced 16 previous Ebola outbreaks, yet first responders lack basic supplies like painkillers, face masks, or motorcycles needed for contact tracing. The Bundibugyo strain’s fatality rate averages around 40%, with no approved therapeutics or vaccines available.
Tedros declared an emergency over the weekend, marking the first time a WHO chief has taken such action without consulting experts due to urgency. The organization assesses the epidemic risk as high at national and regional levels but low globally.