The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after confirmed cases spread across borders and deaths among healthcare workers raised fears of wider transmission.

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‎WHO said at least eight confirmed cases, 246 suspected infections and 80 suspected deaths have been recorded in Ituri Province in eastern Congo, while two confirmed cases — including one death — were detected in Kampala among travellers arriving from DR Congo.

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‎Health officials warned that the true scale of the outbreak may be far larger because of unexplained community deaths, weak surveillance systems and insecurity in eastern Congo, where armed conflict and mass movement of people continue to hamper response efforts.

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‎The agency also expressed concern over infections among healthcare workers, saying at least four medical staff have died from symptoms linked to viral haemorrhagic fever, raising fears that poorly equipped clinics could become centres of transmission.

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‎WHO said there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments specifically designed for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, making containment efforts more difficult compared with previous Ebola outbreaks involving the Zaire strain.

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‎Despite the emergency declaration, WHO advised countries not to close borders or impose travel bans, warning that such restrictions could drive movement through unofficial crossings and worsen the spread of the disease.

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