Rare Ebola Strain Triggers Alarm Across Eastern Congo

Bunia-A fast-spreading outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has intensified fears in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with health workers warning of severe shortages of protective equipment, isolation wards and trained staff as cases rise rapidly.

The World Health Organization said the outbreak has caused 139 suspected deaths and nearly 600 suspected infections in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, while confirmed cases have also emerged in neighboring Uganda. WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern due to the risk of regional spread.

Officials said the virus likely circulated undetected for weeks because initial testing focused on more common Ebola strains. No approved vaccine currently exists for the Bundibugyo variant, with WHO estimating any targeted vaccine could take six to nine months to develop.

The outbreak is unfolding in conflict-hit areas of eastern Congo, where insecurity, population displacement and weak health infrastructure are complicating containment efforts.