WHO reports 906 Suspected cases and 223 Suspected deaths from Bundibugyo Strain of Ebola

WHO has raised concern over the growing Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda, with Uganda’s confirmed cases now rising to nine as health authorities intensify surveillance and response efforts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday reported 906 suspected Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including 223 suspected deaths currently under investigation.

According to the WHO, the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola remains active in the DRC, with cases also confirmed in Uganda. The DRC has so far recorded 125 confirmed Ebola cases and 17 confirmed deaths across Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces.

Uganda has registered seven confirmed Ebola cases, including three imported from the DRC, along with one death. However, the WHO noted that there is currently no evidence of community transmission in Uganda.

Later on Friday, Uganda’s Ministry of Health announced that the country’s confirmed Ebola cases had risen to nine.

The WHO said the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC likely began nearly two months ago before being officially detected. In early May, the agency declared the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Health experts have expressed concern over how long the virus spread undetected in densely populated areas, making contact tracing and isolation efforts more challenging.

Anais Legand of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme’s High Threat Pathogens Team said the fatality rate among confirmed infections is estimated at between 30% and 50%.

“It’s huge. It means that up to five out of 10 people are likely to die,” Legand said, while noting that the figures are still preliminary and require further investigation.She added that early treatment and medical care could significantly reduce the death rate.

The WHO also confirmed that the first recovered Ebola patient in the DRC has been discharged after testing negative twice. Legand expressed hope that more patients would recover as access to early treatment improves.

The organization further said testing capacity is being strengthened and that many pending test samples from suspected cases are expected to be processed in the coming days.

Although the number of suspected cases could increase, Legand said this indicates that surveillance and monitoring systems are functioning effectively.

“As for whether the peak has passed, investigations are still ongoing. I don’t think we can say that at this stage,” she stated.