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Ebola Spreads: DR Congo, Uganda Face Growing Outbreak
31 May
Summary
- Over 1,100 suspected Ebola cases in Congo and Uganda.
- Africa CDC chief urges swift, continental response.
- No vaccine for this deadly Bundibugyo strain exists.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda are contending with a significant Ebola outbreak, prompting urgent calls for action. As of Saturday, 263 confirmed cases and 43 confirmed deaths have been reported across both nations. Authorities are investigating more than 1,100 suspected cases, with international health officials believing current figures may underestimate the true scale.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention director general stressed the need for rapid intervention, stating that the continent must not rely solely on external financial aid. This latest outbreak, declared on May 15 in Ituri, northeast DR Congo, has spread to three Congolese provinces and Uganda.
Efforts to control the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which no vaccine or approved treatment is available, are primarily focused on preventative measures. Health ministers from the DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan have collectively endorsed a $319 million response plan to combat the escalating crisis.
