WHO Warns Ebola Outbreak May Be Far Worse Than Reported in Congo and Uganda

The World Health Organization has raised serious concerns about the rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, warning that the true scale of infections may be significantly larger than official figures currently show.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Tuesday he is “deeply concerned about the scale and speed” of the outbreak as confirmed cases and deaths continue to rise across the region.

Ebola death toll climbs above 130

According to Congolese health officials, at least 131 deaths have now been linked to the outbreak, while more than 500 suspected cases are under investigation.

So far:

• 30 confirmed cases have been identified in Ituri province in eastern Congo
• Two laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported in Kampala, Uganda
• More than 100,000 people have been displaced by violence in affected regions

The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.

What is the Bundibugyo Ebola virus?

The Bundibugyo virus is one of several Orthoebolaviruses capable of causing Ebola disease.

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Severe weakness
• Internal and external bleeding in advanced stages

The virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.

The WHO estimates Ebola’s average fatality rate at around 50%, though rates vary depending on access to medical care and the specific strain involved.

Conflict and displacement are complicating containment efforts

Health officials say the outbreak is unfolding in one of the most unstable parts of eastern Congo.

Tedros warned that escalating violence in Ituri province is severely disrupting response operations.

“High levels of population movement may increase the risk of further spread,” he said during an emergency committee meeting Tuesday.

Aid organizations say years of conflict, food insecurity and weakened healthcare systems are making the outbreak harder to contain.

World Vision warned that children are particularly vulnerable due to widespread malnutrition and limited access to medical care.

Experts fear the outbreak spread undetected for weeks

Questions are mounting over how the virus circulated for so long before authorities officially confirmed the outbreak.

The first known suspected case involved a healthcare worker who developed symptoms on April 24 in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province.

However, the outbreak was not confirmed until May 15.

Public health experts now believe several “generations of transmission” may have occurred before detection.

Craig Spencer, a physician who survived Ebola during the 2014 West Africa epidemic, warned that the official case count may vastly underestimate the real number of infections.

“There’s no doubt that this is probably much worse than what we think right now,” Spencer said.

WHO declares global health emergency

On Sunday, the WHO officially declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The agency cited:

• Rising case numbers
• Increasing deaths
• Cross-border spread
• High positivity rates
• Uncertainty around the true scale of transmission

This marks the first time a WHO director-general has declared this type of emergency before formally convening an emergency committee.

US imposes travel restrictions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Tuesday that an American citizen tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain while in Congo.

The patient is being transferred to Charité in Berlin for treatment.

In response to the outbreak, the United States Department of State issued warnings against travel to:

• Congo
• Uganda
• South Sudan

The department also advised Americans to reconsider travel to Rwanda due to regional outbreak concerns.

No approved vaccine yet available

Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks, there is currently no approved vaccine specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain.

Researchers are now working on experimental monoclonal antibody therapies that could potentially reduce severe illness.

Dr. Satish Pillai from the CDC said scientists are attempting to accelerate treatment development, though no timeline has been announced.

International response intensifies

Global health agencies are increasing surveillance, contact tracing and border screening across Central and East Africa.

Ugandan officials have attempted to reassure the public by stating there is currently no evidence of local transmission inside Uganda.

Meanwhile, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention criticized broad travel restrictions, warning they could damage regional economies without effectively stopping transmission.

Health officials now fear the coming days will determine whether the outbreak can still be contained before wider international spread occurs.