Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the national Ebola risk level in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to "very high," while global risk remains low, according to a UN report. Thus far, 82 cases and seven deaths have been confirmed in the outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain. Nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths have also been reported, suggesting the real scale may be larger.
The outbreak is mainly occurring in the Ituri and North Kivu provinces, areas affected by armed conflict and humanitarian crisis. The conflict has intensified, displacing over 100,000 people and disrupting health operations. Across both provinces, approximately four million people need urgent humanitarian assistance, with two million displaced and ten million facing acute hunger.
The situation has fueled mistrust and misinformation. For example, one hospital in Ituri province was set on fire by relatives after authorities refused to release a corpse, fearing contamination risks. The outbreak is also complicated by the absence of approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, which previously caused outbreaks in 2007 and 2012.
The UN response includes deploying 22 WHO international staff and UNICEF emergency teams, supporting contact tracing, treatment centers, risk communication, and community engagement. The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator has allocated up to $60 million for response efforts in the DRC and neighboring countries, with WHO releasing $3.9 million. The UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO supports airlift and logistics, delivering nearly 30 tons of emergency supplies.
WHO and partners are also preparing clinical trials for experimental Ebola treatments and potential vaccines targeting the Bundibugyo strain. Red Cross volunteers are conducting door-to-door awareness and promoting safe burial practices. Two cases linked to travel from DRC have been confirmed in Uganda, including one fatality. Two American nationals, including a doctor and a high-risk contact, were transferred to Europe for treatment or monitoring.