WHO reports rising toll from Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak

The outbreak likely began two months ago, WHO said earlier in May, and was declared a public health emergency of international concern.

The World Health Organization said Friday that 906 suspected cases of Ebola have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including 223 suspected deaths under investigation. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, a rare form of the virus for which no vaccine exists, and has also spread to Uganda.

WHO confirmed 125 cases in the DRC, with 17 deaths in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. Uganda has reported seven confirmed cases, three imported from the DRC, along with one death. Later Friday, Uganda’s health ministry announced nine confirmed cases, though no community transmission has been detected.

The outbreak likely began two months ago, WHO said earlier in May, and was declared a public health emergency of international concern. Experts expressed alarm at how long the virus circulated undetected in densely populated areas, complicating efforts to trace and isolate contacts.

Anais Legand of WHO’s High Threat Pathogens Team said the fatality rate among confirmed cases is between 30 and 50 percent. “It means that up to five out of 10 people are likely to die,” she said, noting that early care could reduce mortality. The first patient to recover was discharged after testing negative twice, offering hope that more will survive with timely treatment.

WHO said testing capacity is being expanded and expects to clear a backlog of samples in the coming days. Legand added that the rising number of suspected cases reflects improved surveillance rather than uncontrolled spread. “As for whether the peak has passed, investigations are still ongoing. I don’t think we can say that at this stage,” she said.