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The World Health Organization warned on June 3-4 that an outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has had “a big head‑start” and that response teams remain behind the virus.
WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, returning from Ituri province, said the outbreak may have begun as early as January.
Congolese authorities have confirmed 344 cases and 60 deaths, with neighbouring Uganda reporting 15 cases and one death.
Improved laboratory capacity has cleared testing backlogs — more than 1,400 tests reported — and decentralised labs are being scaled up, but only about 45% of contacts are being followed and suspected cases fell from around 906 to roughly 116 as results were processed.
Response efforts are hampered by armed group attacks and displacement in North and South Kivu and Ituri, and by blanket travel restrictions that WHO says disrupt supply chains.
There is currently no approved vaccine or proven treatment for the Bundibugyo strain.
WHO has asked for increased funding and faster contact tracing and has recommended exit screening at ports and border crossings.
🔗 Based On
🕰️ The Story So Far: An Evolving Timeline
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 23:59 UTC
WHO: Ebola had ‘big head-start’ in DRC
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 20:01 UTC
WHO sharply cuts suspected Ebola cases in DRC
Monday, June 1, 2026 18:05 UTC
Brazil isolates two suspected Ebola cases
Sunday, May 31, 2026 16:53 UTC
DR Congo Ebola cases surge; suspected Brazil cases








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