The Congolese government said Thursday that suspected infections have emerged in Tshopo and Haut-Uele provinces. The development raises fresh concerns that the outbreak is spreading beyond its original epicenter in Ituri province.

The Ministry of Health said the country has recorded 1,759 confirmed Ebola cases since the outbreak began.

New suspected cases emerge

A government report released late Wednesday said authorities identified two suspected Ebola cases in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province.

Officials did not disclose how many suspected cases were detected in neighboring Haut-Uele.

Health authorities said one suspected patient in Tshopo had recently traveled from the Nia-Nia health zone in Ituri, where the outbreak first began.

However, the second suspected case has no apparent link to any known outbreak. Investigators are now working to determine how that person became infected.

Outbreak continues to accelerate

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that the current epidemic has become Africa’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak.

Congolese authorities officially declared the outbreak on May 15. However, the World Health Organization said the virus had already been spreading for weeks before officials confirmed the outbreak.

The current epidemic involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. At present, no approved vaccine or licensed treatment exists for that strain.

Clinical trials offer hope

Last week, researchers launched clinical treatment trials aimed at finding effective therapies against the Bundibugyo virus.

Health experts said the study could improve treatment options if future outbreaks involve the same strain.

Response faces growing obstacles

Health officials continue to face major challenges as they work to contain the outbreak.

Funding shortages have slowed the response. In addition, attacks on health facilities and ongoing armed conflict in eastern Congo have disrupted surveillance and emergency operations.

As a result, health workers have struggled to trace contacts, monitor new infections and deliver medical care in affected communities.

Authorities continue to monitor suspected cases while expanding efforts to contain the virus and prevent it from spreading into additional provinces.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Ebola | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Congo Health Ministry | Bundibugyo Virus | World Health Organization | Africa CDC | Infectious Diseases | Public Health

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WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced Thursday that the first participant has been enrolled in the study, marking the start of a closely watched effort to identify therapies that could improve patient survival.

The Bundibugyo virus is one of several viruses capable of causing Ebola disease, but unlike some other Ebola strains, it currently has no approved vaccine or treatment specifically designed for it. According to WHO, more than 1,400 people have been diagnosed during the outbreak, while 438 have died. More than 200 patients have recovered after receiving supportive medical care, particularly when treatment began early.

Tedros said the trial represents an important opportunity to generate evidence while responding to the outbreak.

“The trial offers real hope that we can deliver concrete results for – and with – the communities at the heart of the outbreak,” he said in a statement.

Two Treatments Under Evaluation

Researchers will investigate whether either of two therapies can improve survival among Ebola patients.

One treatment is remdesivir, an antiviral drug developed by Gilead Sciences that is approved for treating COVID-19. Laboratory studies have suggested it may have activity against the Bundibugyo virus, although its effectiveness against this outbreak remains unproven.

The second treatment is MBP134, an experimental antibody therapy developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical. The engineered antibodies are designed to target multiple Ebola viruses, including the Bundibugyo strain.

Under the study design, every participant will receive the current standard supportive care. Patients will then be randomly assigned to receive remdesivir, MBP134, both treatments together, or supportive care alone.

Dr. Vasee Moorthy, a WHO research adviser, said researchers will monitor survival for 28 days after treatment begins.

Trial Could Take Months

Health officials cautioned that determining whether either therapy is effective will require time.

Moorthy said the study could take several months and may require as many as 1,000 participants before researchers can determine whether one or both treatments improve outcomes. However, if either therapy demonstrates a particularly strong benefit, meaningful results could emerge sooner with fewer participants.

The trial is currently operating at a single Ebola treatment center in Congo’s Ituri province.

Security Challenges Continue

Expanding the study may depend on improving security conditions in eastern Congo, where armed violence has repeatedly disrupted healthcare operations.

The affected region has experienced attacks involving healthcare workers responding to the outbreak, complicating efforts to diagnose patients, provide treatment, and contain transmission of the virus, which spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals.

Officials said they intend to extend the study to additional treatment centers once conditions allow.

International Collaboration Supports Research

WHO said sufficient supplies of both treatments have been donated for the trial. Gilead Sciences provided remdesivir, while doses of MBP134 are owned by the U.S. government, which funded research into the experimental therapy.

If either treatment proves effective, researchers said the next challenge will be ensuring patients can continue receiving the therapy beyond the clinical trial.

The study is supported by WHO and conducted through a partnership involving Congo’s National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB), the University of Oxford, the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, and other international health organizations.

Tags: Ebola, Bundibugyo Virus, Democratic Republic of Congo, World Health Organization, Clinical Trial, Remdesivir, MBP134, Infectious Diseases, Public Health, Ebola Treatment, Ituri Province, Medical Research

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The Congolese Ministry of Health announced the updated figures in a statement posted Sunday, highlighting the continued spread of the virus in several provinces and warning that the actual number of infections may be higher than officially recorded.

According to the ministry, 56 people have recovered from the disease, while the outbreak currently has a fatality rate of approximately 23%.

Contact Tracing Challenges Raise Concerns

Health officials said surveillance efforts remain complicated by low contact-tracing coverage, which has fallen to 56%, significantly below levels reported a week earlier.

The outbreak was officially confirmed on May 15, but authorities believe transmission may have begun several weeks before the disease was identified, increasing concerns that additional infections could have gone undetected.

Public health experts consider contact tracing one of the most important tools for containing Ebola outbreaks because it allows authorities to identify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.

The reduced tracing rate has heightened concerns about the ability to fully track chains of transmission.

Rare Virus Strain Complicates Response

The current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a less common variant for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists.

That distinguishes the outbreak from several previous Ebola emergencies in Congo that involved the Zaire strain, for which vaccines and treatments have been developed and deployed.

The absence of approved medical countermeasures for the Bundibugyo virus has added urgency to containment efforts focused on surveillance, isolation of cases, and public health interventions.

Conflict-Affected Region Remains Epicenter

More than 90% of confirmed infections have been recorded in Ituri province, a region that has experienced years of armed conflict and humanitarian instability.

Cases have also been reported in neighboring North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Authorities said infections have crossed the border into Uganda, underscoring the regional dimension of the outbreak.

The United Nations humanitarian office has reported that nearly one million people have been displaced by violence in Ituri, creating major obstacles for health workers attempting to locate contacts and monitor potential cases.

Frequent population movements, remote communities, limited transportation infrastructure, and dense forest terrain have made outbreak response operations particularly difficult.

Security and Community Resistance Affect Health Efforts

Health officials continue to face additional challenges beyond geography and displacement.

The ministry said attacks on healthcare workers, skepticism among some local residents, and ongoing insecurity in parts of eastern Congo have complicated efforts to slow transmission.

Thousands of artisanal miners also move regularly between remote mining sites throughout the region, making it more difficult for authorities to track possible exposures and identify emerging clusters of infection.

The combination of conflict, migration, and limited access to affected communities has long complicated disease-control operations in eastern Congo.

International Attention on Containment Measures

The outbreak has drawn international attention amid broader concerns about cross-border transmission and preparedness efforts.

Last month, U.S. officials announced plans to send Americans exposed to Ebola while overseas to a proposed quarantine facility in Kenya rather than transporting them directly to the United States.

The planned center at Laikipia Air Base was expected to accommodate up to 50 quarantine beds. However, the proposal sparked protests in Kenya and was subsequently halted following court action.

As health authorities continue to monitor the spread of the virus, officials in Congo face mounting pressure to improve surveillance and containment efforts in one of the country’s most challenging humanitarian environments.

Tags: Democratic Republic of Congo, Ebola, Ituri Province, Uganda, Public Health

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According to the World Health Organization, 321 confirmed Ebola cases and 48 deaths had been recorded across the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu as of Tuesday. Neighboring Uganda has also reported infections linked to the outbreak, underscoring the regional implications of the health crisis.

Food Assistance Becomes a Critical Lifeline

At the Evangelical Medical Center in Bunia, the center of the outbreak, volunteers working with the United Nations World Food Programme prepare daily meals for patients receiving treatment and for health workers responding to the epidemic. The effort includes providing locally familiar foods such as porridge, bread, fish, fruit and traditional dishes designed to meet nutritional needs during treatment.

Humanitarian workers told The Associated Press that adequate nutrition has become an important component of patient care. More than 400 meals have been distributed since the food assistance operation began, helping sustain both patients and frontline medical personnel.

The food program comes as aid agencies face growing financial pressure. The World Food Programme has warned that funding reductions from several international donors have disrupted operations in eastern Congo, potentially limiting assistance if the outbreak continues to expand.

Response Complicated by Conflict and Mistrust

Health authorities and aid organizations continue to face significant obstacles in containing the virus. Armed conflict, population displacement and attacks on health workers have complicated efforts to deliver medical care and conduct public health campaigns. Community mistrust and misinformation have also hindered response measures in some areas.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Congolese Red Cross have deployed volunteers to conduct community outreach, infection-prevention campaigns and safe burial operations. Humanitarian organizations say public cooperation remains crucial to slowing transmission and encouraging people to seek treatment early.

Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration has cautioned governments against border closures, arguing that restrictions could drive cross-border movement through unofficial routes and make surveillance more difficult. Uganda nevertheless closed its border with Congo after reporting cases linked to the outbreak.

Signs of Hope Amid Growing Concern

Despite the worsening situation, health officials have reported a small number of recoveries. At least five patients have recovered from the disease, offering encouragement to medical teams working under difficult conditions. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has described the scale and speed of the outbreak as deeply concerning while urging stronger international support for containment efforts.

Authorities in Congo have also reopened Bunia’s airport for domestic flights, introducing temperature screenings and other health measures aimed at limiting the spread of the virus while maintaining essential transportation links.

Regional Health Emergency Draws Global Attention

The World Health Organization has classified the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern. Health officials continue to monitor suspected cases while expanding testing and treatment capacity. WHO figures show that many initially suspected infections have since been ruled out following investigations, though the confirmed caseload remains substantial.

As the response continues, volunteers serving meals in Bunia represent a less visible but important part of the fight against Ebola. In a region facing overlapping humanitarian crises, aid workers say providing food, comfort and routine can be as important as medical treatment for patients confronting a disease that remains difficult to contain.

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Health officials reported that the outbreak in Ituri province has reached 297 confirmed and probable cases, with 227 deaths recorded since the virus was declared in January. The figures were released by Congo’s Health Ministry and international health agencies monitoring the spread of the disease.

The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has been concentrated around the city of Bunia and surrounding areas in Ituri province. Authorities have continued vaccination campaigns, contact tracing operations and treatment efforts while seeking to prevent further transmission.

Recovered Medical Workers Highlight Progress

Amid continuing concerns over the outbreak, health officials have pointed to the recovery of several frontline medical workers as evidence that early treatment and improved response systems can significantly increase survival rates.

Among those recovering was nurse Béatrice Kambale, who returned to work after receiving treatment at an Ebola care center. Medical teams and local officials described her recovery as an important morale boost for healthcare workers operating in high-risk conditions.

Other healthcare staff who contracted the virus have also been discharged from treatment facilities after recovering, according to local health authorities. Their return to medical duties has been highlighted during public awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging early reporting of symptoms and reducing fear surrounding treatment centers.

Containment Efforts Continue

The Congolese government, working with the World Health Organization and humanitarian partners, has expanded surveillance and response operations across affected communities.

Health authorities said vaccination programs have targeted contacts of confirmed cases and individuals considered at high risk of exposure. Treatment centers have also increased efforts to identify infections earlier, a factor officials say has contributed to improved recovery outcomes among some patients.

The Bundibugyo strain is considered less lethal than some other Ebola variants, though it remains highly dangerous and can spread through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals. The World Health Organization has continued monitoring the outbreak and supporting containment measures in the region.

Humanitarian Challenges Remain

Response efforts have faced logistical difficulties in parts of Ituri province, where insecurity and limited infrastructure have complicated access to some communities.

Health officials said public awareness campaigns remain essential because fear, misinformation and delayed treatment can increase transmission risks. Authorities have worked with local leaders and community organizations to encourage cooperation with contact tracing and medical interventions.

The outbreak has also placed additional pressure on healthcare facilities already dealing with broader humanitarian and public health challenges in eastern Congo.

Signs of Optimism Amid Ongoing Risk

While the number of infections continues to rise, health authorities say the growing number of survivors offers a more hopeful narrative than in some previous Ebola outbreaks.

Recovered patients have increasingly participated in awareness campaigns and public outreach efforts, helping health workers demonstrate that treatment can be effective when care is received early. Officials believe these testimonies may encourage more people to seek medical assistance quickly if symptoms appear.

Despite those positive developments, authorities warned that the outbreak remains active and that transmission risks persist. Health agencies have not publicly indicated when the outbreak could be declared contained, and monitoring operations continue across affected areas. (apnews.com)

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Tedros said four patients were discharged on Sunday, while another had been released earlier in the week, marking the first documented recoveries during the current outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. The strain has no approved vaccine or treatment, making the recoveries a notable milestone for health workers responding to the crisis.

The WHO chief made the announcement while inaugurating a new Ebola treatment center in Bunia, a city that has become a focal point of efforts to contain the outbreak. Health officials hope the facility will improve patient care, expand isolation capacity and strengthen surveillance operations in one of the hardest-hit areas.

Recovery Offers Hope Amid Challenging Outbreak

The current outbreak has infected at least 134 people and caused 18 confirmed deaths in Congo and neighboring Uganda, according to figures cited by WHO officials. While the recovery of five patients has raised hopes, health authorities continue to warn that the outbreak remains a serious public health challenge.

Tedros emphasized that recovery is possible even without an approved vaccine or treatment specifically designed for the Bundibugyo strain. Health workers have relied on supportive care and early medical intervention to improve patient outcomes while researchers continue efforts to develop targeted therapies and vaccines.

Recovered patients who spoke about their experiences described periods of isolation, uncertainty and severe illness before eventually being discharged. Their recovery stories have become part of broader efforts to encourage communities to seek medical assistance quickly when symptoms appear.

Community Trust Remains Critical

Health officials say the response has been complicated by misinformation, distrust of health authorities and insecurity in parts of eastern Congo.

The outbreak is unfolding in a region affected by armed group activity and population displacement, conditions that can make disease surveillance and treatment more difficult. WHO officials have repeatedly stressed that cooperation from local communities will be essential to slowing transmission.

Tedros urged residents to report symptoms early and work with health teams involved in contact tracing and treatment efforts. He also emphasized the importance of community participation in helping authorities identify cases before wider transmission occurs.

Previous attacks on health facilities and resistance to some public health measures have complicated containment efforts. Health workers say building trust remains as important as expanding medical infrastructure.

International Response Expands

The opening of the Bunia treatment center is part of a broader international effort to contain the outbreak.

WHO, African health agencies and international partners have increased support for response operations in eastern Congo, including the deployment of medical supplies, specialists and additional treatment facilities. Aid organizations have also announced plans to expand treatment capacity as the outbreak continues.

Health officials have warned that the outbreak spread undetected for several weeks before it was identified, contributing to the number of suspected infections. Authorities continue to monitor cases in neighboring Uganda, where confirmed infections linked to the outbreak have also been reported.

Containment Efforts Continue

The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified in the country in 1976. The current outbreak is the country’s 17th recorded Ebola epidemic and is being closely monitored by international health agencies.

While the recovery of five patients has provided a measure of optimism, WHO officials caution that sustained efforts will be required to contain transmission. Authorities continue to expand treatment, surveillance and public-awareness campaigns as they seek to prevent further spread of the virus across the region.

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The concerns come as demand for wild meat, commonly known as bushmeat, remains widespread across the Congo Basin despite repeated Ebola outbreaks in the region. Vendors at markets in Kinshasa continue to sell products ranging from antelope and rodents to reptiles and caterpillars, reflecting a longstanding cultural and dietary tradition that many communities depend upon for food and income.

Experts Highlight Animal-to-Human Transmission Risks

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that Ebola is generally not transmitted through food consumption itself. However, infections have been associated with hunting, butchering and processing infected animals before the virus spreads between humans through direct contact with bodily fluids.

Officials from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said outbreaks can emerge when humans, animals and the environment interact closely. Health experts believe Ebola outbreaks often begin when the virus passes from infected wildlife, including fruit bats and other animals, into human populations.

The Congolese government has reported more than 1,000 suspected Ebola cases and at least 220 deaths since declaring the outbreak on May 15. The World Health Organization has indicated that the actual scale of the outbreak may be larger than currently documented because the virus appears to have circulated undetected for several weeks before authorities identified it.

Cultural Practices Complicate Prevention Efforts

Public health specialists say changing behavior around wild meat consumption remains difficult because the practice is deeply rooted in local culture and serves as a key source of protein for many communities.

Dr. Misaki Wayengera, a microbiologist who advises Uganda’s Ministry of Health on epidemics, told The Associated Press that some people remain unaware of the potential health risks while others do not accept a connection between Ebola outbreaks and the handling of infected wildlife. He said longstanding traditions can be difficult to change even after repeated outbreaks.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, animal-to-human Ebola spillovers are relatively rare, but their consequences can be severe when they occur. Once the virus infects a person, transmission can accelerate through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated bodily fluids.

Current Outbreak Faces Additional Challenges

Health officials say the current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a less common variant for which no approved vaccines or treatments currently exist. The outbreak is unfolding in eastern Congo, a region also affected by armed conflict and population displacement, factors that complicate surveillance and response efforts.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced 17 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified near the Ebola River in 1976. The deadliest outbreak occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016, when an estimated 28,000 people were infected and more than 11,300 died.

Although Congolese authorities prohibit the hunting of certain endangered species, wildlife trade continues across parts of the Congo Basin. Researchers estimate that millions of tons of wild meat are harvested from the region each year, underscoring the challenge of balancing public health concerns, conservation efforts and local livelihoods.

Calls for Greater Public Awareness

Conservation and public health advocates say education campaigns remain one of the most important tools for reducing future outbreaks. They argue that communities need better information about how Ebola emerges and how transmission can begin through contact with infected wildlife.

Some fruit bat species are believed by the World Health Organization to be natural hosts of Ebola viruses. Health campaigners say raising awareness about the risks associated with handling dead or sick wild animals could help reduce the likelihood of future spillover events.

As authorities continue efforts to contain the current outbreak, experts warn that preventing future epidemics will require not only medical responses but also sustained public engagement in regions where wildlife, human communities and disease transmission intersect closely.

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A cargo aircraft carrying European Union-donated medical aid landed Thursday in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province and the center of the outbreak. Associated Press reporting showed shipments included protective masks, gloves, boots and medications urgently needed by frontline health workers treating patients infected with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare variant that currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.

The WHO has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern following a rapid rise in infections across eastern Congo and neighboring Uganda. Health authorities reported more than 1,000 suspected cases and at least 220 suspected deaths, although officials acknowledged the actual spread may be significantly wider due to limited testing capacity and insecurity in affected areas.

Conflict and Distrust Hamper Response Efforts

Health workers operating in Ituri province have faced growing difficulties reaching infected communities because of attacks by armed groups and resistance from some residents opposed to strict Ebola containment measures.

Associated Press reporting stated that several health centers in Ituri have been attacked amid tensions over burial procedures and quarantine rules that conflict with local traditions. Congolese Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said mistrust during outbreaks remains a recurring challenge in remote communities facing large-scale emergency interventions.

The outbreak is unfolding in a volatile region already destabilized by violence involving armed militias including the Allied Democratic Forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. Humanitarian agencies warned that continued insecurity has complicated contact tracing, delayed medical deliveries and limited access to some infected communities.

WHO Director-General Tedros called for a ceasefire in eastern Congo earlier this week, arguing that violence was undermining efforts to isolate cases and build public trust. “We cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling,” Tedros said in remarks reported by international media.

International Aid Response Expands

Aid agencies and foreign governments have increased emergency assistance as concerns grow over possible cross-border transmission.

The United States announced an additional $80 million in support for Congo and Uganda, bringing total American assistance linked to the outbreak to more than $112 million, according to official statements cited by AP reporting. The funding is expected to support airport screening systems, contact tracing operations, testing supplies and protective equipment for medical personnel.

WHO Africa stated earlier this month that emergency teams had already delivered more than 11 tonnes of medical supplies to affected areas within days of the outbreak’s declaration on May 15. Additional teams from WHO and Congo’s Ministry of Health were deployed to reinforce disease surveillance, laboratory testing and community engagement operations.

Reuters reporting said WHO is also working with Congo’s national biomedical research institute to expand laboratory testing capacity in order to identify infections more rapidly and improve real-time monitoring of the outbreak.

Rare Ebola Strain Raises Concerns

The Bundibugyo strain involved in the current outbreak has appeared only twice previously, once in Uganda in 2007 and later in Congo in 2012. Unlike the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, no licensed vaccine or targeted treatment currently exists for Bundibugyo infections.

Health experts and aid organizations have warned that the outbreak spread undetected for weeks after early samples initially tested negative for more common Ebola variants. Delays in confirmation, combined with reduced international aid funding and overwhelmed health infrastructure, contributed to the rapid expansion of infections across eastern Congo.

The outbreak has already spread into Uganda, where authorities confirmed several cases and at least one death linked to travelers arriving from Congo. Regional governments have introduced border monitoring and emergency preparedness measures amid fears of wider transmission.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed when the outbreak may be brought under control. International health agencies warned that containment efforts are likely to continue for months as medical teams race to prevent further spread in one of central Africa’s most unstable regions.

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The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare variant for which no approved vaccines or targeted treatments currently exist. Ugandan officials said the decision followed growing concern that health workers inside the country had been exposed to infected Congolese patients who crossed the border before the outbreak was officially declared on May 15.

Uganda’s border closure directly contradicts guidance from the World Health Organization, which has warned that shutting borders can drive movement through unofficial crossings and complicate efforts to trace infections.

Cases Rise Rapidly in Eastern Congo

Health authorities in Congo reported that suspected Ebola cases are nearing 1,000, with more than 220 suspected deaths linked to the outbreak. Congolese officials said more than 100 infections have already been laboratory confirmed while thousands of potential contacts are being monitored.

The outbreak is centered in Ituri province in eastern Congo, a region already affected by armed conflict, displacement, weak healthcare infrastructure, and frequent cross-border movement. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, warning that the scale of infections may be significantly larger than currently detected.

WHO officials stated that the outbreak went undetected for weeks and that insecurity in eastern Congo has complicated surveillance and treatment operations. Medical teams have also faced community mistrust, attacks on facilities, and shortages of protective equipment and testing resources.

Uganda Reports Confirmed Infections

Uganda has confirmed seven Ebola cases, including one death, according to regional health authorities and European disease monitoring agencies. Several infections were traced to cross-border exposure linked to patients arriving from Congo.

Authorities said anyone allowed to enter Uganda under emergency exemptions — including humanitarian, cargo, security, or outbreak-response operations — would face mandatory 21-day isolation measures.

Uganda’s Health Ministry said additional infections included healthcare workers and transport personnel identified through contact tracing. Reuters reported that one confirmed case involved a Congolese woman who traveled to Kampala while experiencing mild symptoms before later testing positive after returning to Congo.

International Health Concerns Intensify

Governments worldwide have begun tightening travel restrictions and screening measures as fears grow over possible international spread. Reuters reported that the United States expanded screening measures and restricted entry for some travelers recently present in Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan. Canada, the Bahamas, and several Asian and Middle Eastern countries also introduced new controls.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the risk of spread to the United States remains low but urged clinicians and public health officials to remain alert.

Health agencies have emphasized that Ebola spreads primarily through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals. Experts say healthcare workers and family caregivers remain among the highest-risk groups during outbreaks.

Rare Ebola Strain Raises Additional Challenges

The Bundibugyo strain was first identified in Uganda in 2007 and is considered less common than the Zaire strain associated with previous major Ebola epidemics. Unlike some other Ebola variants, there are currently no widely approved vaccines or antiviral therapies specifically targeting Bundibugyo virus disease.

International responders warned that the combination of armed conflict, population displacement, porous borders, and limited medical infrastructure could make containment significantly more difficult. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for a ceasefire in eastern Congo to improve access for medical teams responding to the outbreak.

Details about the full scale of infections remain uncertain as authorities continue testing suspected cases and tracing contacts across affected regions.

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At the ISP displacement camp in Bunia, home to roughly 10,000 internally displaced people, camp leaders said residents are being encouraged to clean their hands with oatmeal or sand when soap is unavailable. The camp has a single handwashing station and one infrared thermometer, according to reporting from The Associated Press.

“My fear is that we are here with nothing to protect ourselves,” camp resident Francine Leve Janguzi told AP while standing beside a dry water tap.

The camp sits in Ituri province, the center of a rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak involving the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus. Health officials and aid organizations have warned that overcrowded living conditions and weak sanitation systems could accelerate transmission among displaced communities already affected by armed conflict and food shortages.

Rare Ebola Strain Raises International Concern

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern earlier this month after cases spread across parts of eastern Congo and into neighboring Uganda. WHO officials said the Bundibugyo strain poses additional challenges because there are currently no approved vaccines or targeted treatments available.

WHO data released May 17 showed hundreds of suspected infections and dozens of deaths across affected regions, though officials warned the true scale of the outbreak could be significantly larger because of limited surveillance and ongoing insecurity.

Aid workers in Bunia said the response has been hampered by funding shortages, violence from armed groups and distrust among local communities. Several treatment facilities and healthcare workers have already been attacked during the outbreak.

The humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo has displaced hundreds of thousands of people in recent years due to fighting involving multiple armed factions, including CODECO militias and the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamic State-linked rebel group.

Health Infrastructure Under Severe Pressure

Local officials and humanitarian agencies said basic disease prevention measures remain difficult to implement in many camps because of shortages of water, hygiene products and medical equipment.

Reuters video reporting from another displacement camp in Bunia showed camp supervisors using megaphones to encourage residents to wash their hands with soap or ash amid growing fears over Ebola’s spread.

The outbreak has also increased pressure on Congo’s already fragile healthcare infrastructure. Medical workers have warned that many facilities lack protective equipment, isolation areas and sufficient staffing to manage rising case numbers safely.

International agencies are rushing supplies and personnel into the affected region, but humanitarian organizations say insecurity and logistical challenges continue to slow containment efforts.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed the full number of infections in displacement camps, and some details surrounding the spread of the disease remain unclear.

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