WHO says 600 suspected cases, 139 deaths in growing Ebola outbreak

A World Health Organization (WHO) doctor has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be spreading faster than initially believed. As of Tuesday, over 513 cases were suspected in DR Congo, with at least 131 deaths, and one death reported in neighboring Uganda. Experts from the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis suggest there has been "substantial" under-detection, with potentially over 1,000 cases already. The WHO chief expressed deep concern about the epidemic's scale and speed, noting the outbreak may have been ongoing for weeks before its April 24 detection. The Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter, is described as an unsecured area with significant population movement, complicating control efforts. There is currently no vaccine for this strain of Ebola, though the WHO is evaluating other drugs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a public health emergency of international concern due to its scale and speed. As of the article's reporting, there have been at least 500 suspected cases and 130 suspected deaths in the DRC since the outbreak began. Cases have also been confirmed in Uganda and a US citizen has tested positive and been transferred to Germany. The outbreak is particularly concerning due to its spread in urban areas, among health workers, and in the insecure, conflict-ridden province of Ituri, which has seen significant population displacement. The Bundibugyo virus strain, which is causing this outbreak, currently has no vaccines or treatments.

US authorities are facilitating the transfer of a US medical missionary, identified as Peter Stafford, who contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to Germany for treatment at Charite University Hospital in Berlin. This decision follows a US request for assistance. The World Health Organization reports that the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda has resulted in 134 deaths and over 500 suspected cases, with experts warning of continued challenges and anticipating the outbreak to last at least two more months. Additionally, six other high-risk contacts are being transported to Europe, including Germany and the Czech Republic, for quarantine and monitoring. The CDC stated that the risk to the US from this outbreak remains low.

At least six Americans have been exposed to Ebola during an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). One of these individuals is reportedly experiencing symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated the risk to the US remains low and issued a Level Four travel advisory, its most severe, warning against travel to the DR Congo. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak in Ituri province a public health emergency of international concern, warning of potential for a much larger outbreak with significant regional spread. Public health measures, including guidance on handling funerals, are recommended in the absence of vaccines and effective medicines.

US health news website STAT News reported that several Americans in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may have been exposed to suspected Ebola cases in the country's latest outbreak. Some of these individuals are considered to have had high-risk exposures, and at least one may have developed symptoms. Reuters could not immediately verify this report. The Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization, following 80 suspected deaths. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to send additional staff and provide technical support to the affected countries.

US health authorities confirmed an American contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and is being evacuated to Germany for treatment. In response to the ongoing Ebola virus epidemic in the DRC and Uganda, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security are implementing enhanced travel screening measures for individuals arriving in the US from these regions. These proactive measures include entry restrictions for non-US passport holders who have been in Uganda, the DRC, or South Sudan within the past 21 days, and enhanced port health protection activities. The CDC assesses the immediate risk to the general US public as low but will continue to monitor the evolving situation. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has a high mortality rate and no targeted vaccine or treatment.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing a new Ebola outbreak in its northeastern Ituri province, with at least 80 deaths reported and nearly 250 suspected cases. The Bundibugyo strain, which has no vaccine or specific treatment and a lethality rate potentially reaching 50 percent, was confirmed on Friday. The outbreak began with a nurse who sought care on April 24 in Bunia, the provincial capital. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is concerned about rapid spread due to high population density and proximity to Uganda and South Sudan, where one death has also been reported. Health workers are intensifying screening and contact tracing to contain the disease.

A new Ebola outbreak has been confirmed in Congo's Ituri province, resulting in 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases. Health officials are investigating the specific strain, with initial tests suggesting it may not be the deadliest Ebola Zaire variant. Neighboring Uganda has reported one imported death from Congo. The outbreak is concentrated in an area near the borders of Uganda and South Sudan, raising concerns about regional spread due to travel and insecurity. The World Health Organization has deployed a response team and provided emergency funding, while Congo has stockpiles of treatments and some vaccine doses, though their effectiveness varies by strain. This marks Congo's 17th recorded Ebola outbreak.

An Ebola outbreak in the eastern Ituri province of Congo has resulted in at least 80 reported deaths. Health workers are intensifying screening and contact tracing efforts to contain the disease. The outbreak was first announced on Friday, with 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases at that time. Residents in Bunia, the capital of Ituri, have expressed fear due to the ongoing daily burials, with some reporting multiple deaths and burials each day for about a week. The exact nature of the disease remains unclear to some locals.

Health officials are raising concerns about a new Ebola outbreak in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Africa CDC has reported 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths. The outbreak is particularly worrying due to the affected area's proximity to Uganda and South Sudan and a challenging security situation caused by armed groups. Preliminary tests have detected the Ebola virus in a significant number of samples. This outbreak follows the DRC's previous Ebola episode, which ended five months ago. The Africa CDC is organizing an urgent meeting with regional health authorities and partners to bolster cross-border surveillance and response efforts, citing risks from population movement and control difficulties in the remote, poorly accessible region.

Africa's top public health body has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in the remote Ituri province of Congo. The outbreak has resulted in 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, primarily in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. While four deaths are linked to laboratory-confirmed cases, further testing is underway to identify the specific strain of the virus. Preliminary results suggest it may not be the Ebola Zaire strain, which has been prevalent in past outbreaks, though sequencing is ongoing. The World Health Organization has previously noted Congo's stockpile of Ebola treatments and vaccines, though the current vaccine is effective against the Zaire strain.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a fatal Ebola outbreak in the remote Ituri province of Congo. As of Friday, May 15, 2026, there are 246 suspected cases and 65 recorded deaths, primarily in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. The highly contagious Ebola virus spreads through bodily fluids. In response to this confirmed outbreak, an urgent cross-border meeting has been called.