The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the Ebola outbreak centred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with linked cases in Uganda, has claimed more than 1,000 lives, making it one of the deadliest Ebola epidemics in recent history. The latest figures show 2,536 confirmed cases and over 1,000 deaths, with the vast majority recorded in eastern DRC.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO in May. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo Ebola, making containment significantly more challenging as researchers continue to evaluate experimental therapies.
Health authorities say the response has been severely hampered by armed conflict, attacks on medical facilities, shortages of supplies and widespread public distrust. Many infections are being detected outside known transmission chains, making contact tracing increasingly difficult and raising fears that the true scale of the outbreak may be much larger than official figures suggest.
While the crisis continues to escalate in the DRC, Uganda has made encouraging progress. The country has recorded 20 confirmed cases linked to imported infections from the DRC but has reported no new cases since late June. Uganda discharged its last Ebola patient on 16 July and has entered the WHO-required 42-day surveillance period before it can officially declare the outbreak over, provided no additional infections emerge.
A notable development is that the outbreak has highlighted the growing international dimension of the crisis. In recent weeks, infected humanitarian workers from the DRC have been medically evacuated to Germany and France for treatment, underscoring how rapidly infectious diseases can cross borders even when local transmission remains contained. Health experts continue to stress that strengthening surveillance, community engagement and cross-border cooperation will be essential to preventing further spread.
The WHO and partner organisations have urged the international community to sustain funding and logistical support as frontline teams work to contain an outbreak that remains one of Africa’s most serious public health emergencies.
