The death toll from the ongoing outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease, a rare strain of Ebola, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to 136, with the number of confirmed cases increasing to 676, according to the latest situation update released by the World Health Organisation.
The latest figures represent a sharp increase from the 515 confirmed cases and 91 deaths reported just days earlier, highlighting the rapid evolution of the outbreak and raising concerns about further spread within the region.
Authorities disclosed that, as of June 10, the Democratic Republic of the Congo had recorded 676 confirmed cases, including 136 deaths, while neighbouring Uganda had confirmed 19 cases, including two deaths and one probable fatal case linked to the outbreak.
The outbreak remains concentrated in eastern DR Congo, particularly in Ituri Province, although cases have also been reported in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Health officials say the increasing number of confirmed infections is partly due to the expansion of laboratory testing and the processing of a backlog of samples collected from suspected cases.
According to outbreak data, Ituri Province accounts for the overwhelming majority of infections reported so far. Previous figures showed that 487 of the 515 confirmed cases recorded by June 6 originated from the province. Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu health zones have emerged as some of the worst-affected areas.
Health authorities have identified and placed more than 5,000 contacts under monitoring across the affected provinces in an effort to interrupt transmission chains. However, officials say insecurity in parts of eastern Congo continues to undermine surveillance activities, contact tracing and access to affected communities.
Experts have warned that such disruptions could increase the risk of undetected infections and allow the disease to spread further.
The outbreak has also affected healthcare workers. At least 16 health and care workers have tested positive for the disease in DR Congo, underscoring the risks faced by frontline personnel and the importance of strict infection prevention and control measures.
In Uganda, health authorities continue to investigate cases linked to cross-border transmission from DR Congo.
Officials said all confirmed cases reported in Uganda have been epidemiologically linked to travellers arriving from DR Congo or to secondary infections among contacts and healthcare workers. The cases have been reported in Kampala and Wakiso districts.
Of the 19 confirmed cases recorded in Uganda, 14 were imported, while five involved Ugandan nationals. Approximately 70 per cent of the affected persons are Congolese nationals who travelled to Uganda seeking medical treatment.
Authorities have, however, reported that no new cases have been detected in Uganda over the past six days, a development considered encouraging by public health experts.
The outbreak also drew international attention after an infected Congolese national travelled through Uganda to the United Arab Emirates before returning to Uganda. Health authorities in both countries carried out risk assessments and contact-tracing investigations.
WHO, in its Disease Outbreak News, said there is currently no evidence of secondary transmission linked to the traveller in the UAE, and officials have assessed the risk associated with the incident as low.
Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe and often fatal form of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the species within the Orthoebolavirus family.
The disease is believed to originate from wildlife, particularly fruit bats, which are suspected to be the natural reservoir. Human infection occurs through contact with infected animals and subsequently spreads between people through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs or contaminated materials.
Symptoms usually appear between two and 21 days after exposure and often begin with fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain and sore throat before progressing to more severe complications, including gastrointestinal illness, organ dysfunction and, in some cases, haemorrhagic manifestations.
Public health experts note that the disease can be difficult to distinguish from other common illnesses, such as malaria, during its early stages, making laboratory confirmation essential for diagnosis.
Unlike some other Ebola virus strains, there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease. Consequently, outbreak control relies heavily on rapid case detection, isolation of patients, contact tracing, safe burial practices and effective community engagement.
In response to the outbreak, authorities in DR Congo and Uganda, working with the World Health Organisation, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners, have intensified surveillance, strengthened laboratory capacity, deployed emergency response teams and established treatment centres in affected areas.
On June 5, the Africa CDC and the WHO launched a joint continental preparedness and response plan requiring $518 million to help African countries prepare for, detect and respond rapidly to the outbreak.
The WHO has classified the risk posed by the outbreak in DR Congo as “very high”, citing ongoing transmission and the expansion of the disease into new health zones. Uganda’s risk level remains “high” because of confirmed cross-border spread and continued epidemiological links with affected areas in eastern Congo.
For countries sharing land borders with the affected nations, the risk is also considered high due to frequent population movement associated with trade, mining activities and cross-border travel.
Despite the growing number of infections and deaths, the WHO has advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on either DR Congo or Uganda, stressing that strengthened surveillance, preparedness and response measures remain the most effective tools for controlling the outbreak.
