The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed growing concern over the rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, with confirmed cases now approaching the 500 mark.
According to the WHO’s latest situation update, a total of 471 confirmed cases and 84 deaths have been recorded across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, highlighting the increasing severity of the public health crisis.
The DRC remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for 452 confirmed infections and 82 deaths since authorities officially declared the outbreak three weeks ago. In neighbouring Uganda, health officials have confirmed 19 cases and two deaths linked to the disease.
The latest figures represent a sharp increase of 100 new cases and 20 additional deaths within 24 hours, raising fears that the outbreak could expand significantly if urgent containment measures are not intensified.
Health experts have warned that, without robust public health interventions, the current epidemic could become one of the largest Ebola outbreaks in history. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that predictive models show the outbreak could potentially rival the devastating 2014 West Africa Ebola epidemic, which resulted in more than 28,000 infections and over 11,000 deaths.
Ebola, a highly infectious viral disease transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids and infected persons, has claimed more than 15,000 lives across Africa over the last five decades.
The current outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments, making containment efforts even more challenging.
In response to the growing threat, the WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have launched a $518 million emergency response plan aimed at combating the outbreak over the next six months. The strategy focuses on strengthening disease surveillance, expanding laboratory testing capacity, improving infection prevention measures, and enhancing emergency response systems in affected and neighbouring countries.
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stressed the urgency of coordinated action, warning that the outbreak is spreading faster than response efforts.
“The outbreak is moving fast, and we are still playing catch-up. We need to stop the outbreak where it is, support countries that are responding today, and ensure that neighbouring countries are prepared to detect and respond quickly if cases emerge,” he said.
Health authorities continue to urge governments, healthcare institutions, and international partners to intensify preparedness and response efforts to prevent further spread of the deadly virus across the region.
