Overview
- The World Health Organization said Monday that responders are “playing catch‑up” as surveillance has found more than 900 suspected cases, about 101 confirmed infections, and roughly 220 suspected deaths in eastern DR Congo.
- The outbreak has spread across the border to Uganda, which has confirmed seven linked cases including infected health workers in Kampala and is tracing contacts and tightening infection control in hospitals.
- Violence and community mistrust have disrupted the response, with treatment tents burned, a hospital stormed by armed men, and at least 18 suspected patients reported to have fled a facility.
- There is no licensed vaccine or strain‑specific therapy for Bundibugyo, so WHO, African CDC and partners have released emergency funds and begun experimental vaccine and therapeutic work while scaling up contact tracing, isolation and safe burial teams.
- Neighboring countries have imposed Covid‑style screening, transport limits and entry rules, which is slowing normal trade and travel and may complicate case finding as more infections are expected in coming days.